Ukrainian Forces Regain Control in Oleksandrivka Counteroffensive

General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, announced the progress in a Facebook post. He highlighted that since the beginning of the counteroffensive, Ukrainian forces have restored control of over 400 square kilometers of territory.

Despite facing a Russian force that outnumbers them nearly three to one, Ukrainian troops are utilizing active defense strategies to maintain pressure on enemy forces and advance in certain areas. The aim is to seize the operational initiative and compel Russian forces to respond to Ukrainian actions.

Syrskyi detailed the impact of Ukrainian strikes inside Russia, noting that in February, 85 targets were hit, contributing to a significant 24.8% reduction in the overall volume of oil refining in Russia. He also mentioned successful missile strikes on key production facilities, including the Votkinsk plant, which manufactures Iskander missiles.

The effects of these operations are being felt, with an 18% decrease in the use of Russian first-person view drones reported in the same month, likely due to targeted strikes on their arsenals. The commander confirmed that the Ukrainian military conducted a total of 228 missile strikes and 104 air force operations in February alone, alongside 293,800 combat missions executed by UAVs.

These concerted efforts underline the Ukrainian Defense Forces' commitment to regaining lost ground and dismantling enemy capabilities. During recent strategic meetings, logistical challenges were reviewed, and Syrskyi acknowledged the importance of restoring the combat capability of units while maintaining troop discipline.

He emphasized that the assistance with armored vehicles, frequently requested by brigade commanders, remains a priority. While international military aid saw a slight improvement in February, Syrskyi noted that most military equipment repairs and restorations are being managed internally by Ukraine, marking a nearly 25% increase in self-repairs from January.

He commended the diligent work of military leaders, particularly Air Assault Forces Commander Major General Oleh Apostol, who received the highest evaluation for February. In closing, Syrskyi expressed gratitude to every Ukrainian soldier for their extraordinary contributions, emphasizing that their sacrifices are crucial for Ukraine's ongoing military efforts.