Over 400 km² Liberated by Ukrainian Forces in Two Months as Russia Rushes Elite Reserves to the Front.

Ukrainian Military Gains

According to Novyny.live: Between late January and early March 2026, Ukrainian troops reclaimed more than 400 square kilometers of territory. This breakthrough was driven by sustained counterattacks from the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), which forced Russian units to redeploy and halted their offensives on several fronts. A pivotal moment came when Russia’s 39th Motor Rifle Brigade was pushed back across the Vovcha River.

As a result of Ukraine’s offensive operations, Russian forces saw a sharp decline in their advance rates. On the Huliaipole axis, for instance, Russian progress slowed to less than 1.2–1.5 kilometers per week. This indicates that Russian troops failed to mount a full-scale assault in that area—a fact further supported by reports of Russian naval infantry units, including the 40th and 120th Brigades, being rushed toward Huliaipole and Oleksandrivka.

Russian Military Setbacks

Additionally, Russia’s 656th Motor Rifle Regiment has not seen combat since August 2025, suggesting serious issues with troop replenishment and training. Given the current situation, Moscow is now scrambling to deploy elite reserve forces to the front lines in a desperate attempt to hold onto lost positions.

Overall, Ukrainian forces continue to achieve battlefield successes, liberating territory and stalling enemy advances. This period of intense fighting could significantly reshape the trajectory of the conflict.

The liberation of territory and the stalling of Russian offensives highlight strategic wins for Ukraine that may alter the conflict’s dynamics. These developments not only boost the morale of Ukrainian troops but could also strengthen international support for Ukraine’s fight to preserve its territorial integrity.

Meanwhile, Russia faces mounting difficulties in maintaining its positions, which could lead to further shifts in the frontline situation.