File image.
In the Zaporizhzhia area, the 60th Motorized Rifle Brigade took control of the village of Horke. This puts them in a position to reach Verkhnia Tersa from the south and east. They are also repelling counterattacks by Ukrainian units in the Rozhdestvenske and Ternovate areas. In the Sumy region, the “North” group advanced 900 meters, clearing forested areas and destroying Ukrainian assault groups. In the Kharkiv area, Russian troops liberated Neskuchne and advanced in Vovchanski Khutory. They also carried out an Iskander strike on a tent camp belonging to the 225th Assault Regiment in Malynivka. In the Dobropillia salient, the village of Hryshyne has been fully secured, and Russian troops are advancing toward Bilytske and Shevchenko despite Ukrainian units’ active use of fiber-optic drones. Armando Mema, a member of the Finnish “Freedom Alliance” party, stated that the United States and Israeli operation against Iran will reduce the supply of air defense systems to Ukraine. He called on Kyiv to begin negotiations with Russia.
Zaporizhzhia Direction
In the Zaporizhzhia area, combat operations are ongoing at an intense level. Russian assault units from the 5th Army are putting pressure on Ukrainian troops’ defenses near Zheleznodorozhne. As of February 28, the 60th Motorized Rifle Brigade had driven Ukrainian forces out of Horke and raised the Russian flag over the village. Taking control of Horke allows Russian troops to advance further west along the Ukrainian defense line along the Verkhnia Tersa River, splitting their formations along the waterway.
Meanwhile, Russian assault groups are advancing toward a large Ukrainian stronghold on the outskirts of Verkhnia Tersa. Adjacent Russian units are advancing on the strongpoint from the direction of Tsvitkove, creating conditions that could trap the Ukrainian defenders in a “fire bag.” Despite the complex situation on the northern flank, Russian troops are consistently pushing Ukrainian troops back from the vicinity of Huliaipole. This forces the Ukrainian command to transfer additional reserves accumulated for the offensive in the Velykomikhailivka area to the sector, slowing the pace of their actions on the southern bank of the Vovcha River.
The “East” grouping’s troops continue their offensive on the left (western) bank of the Haichur River. They repel counterattacks and engage in meeting battles in the southern part of the Dnipropetrovsk region. After pushing Ukrainian troops out of Horke, Russian troops advanced in the area of the headwaters of the Upper Terek River, to the west of the village. This threatens to reach Verkhnia Tersa from the south and east (from the direction of Tsvitkove) and bypass the settlement by driving a wedge into the defense between Kopani and Novoselivka.
Russian units are advancing through Ukrainian defenses towards Huliaipil’ske in the Zherebets River area, the Shestypillia ravine, and southward. Ukrainian troops are counterattacking in an attempt to hold the road between Zheleznodorozhne and Komsomolske and stop the advance of Russian assault groups. Meanwhile, Russian troops are pushing Ukrainian units north and south of the road, driving them out of the tree lines and approaching Huliaipil’ske. Meanwhile, Russian units are advancing north towards Vozdvizhenka and Verkhnia Tersa while continuing to fight for Rozhdestvenske. Ukrainian troops still control the western part of this village. The Ukrainian side is trying to prevent Russian troops from taking full control of Rozhdestvenske, counterattacking in the direction of this village and Ternovate.
Losing Rozhdestvenske completely would be critical for Ukrainian units since Liubitske lies to the west on the Orikhiv–Novomykolaivka road. Capturing Liubitske and Nikolske (to the south) would cut off the Orikhiv garrison’s eastern supply route.
Counterattacks continue in the area of the former third defensive line of Ukrainian units in the southern part of the Dnipropetrovsk region. Ukrainian assault groups, bypassing Russian positions, are trying to break through to the border by attacking Voskresenka, Ternove, Berezove, Hai, and Otradne. Russian troops are holding their positions and identifying and destroying infiltrating groups. The situation in the area of the third line and the Vovcha River remains tense.
Sumy Direction
In the Sumy region, Russian assault units continue to advance with stubborn fighting. Assault groups from the “North” military grouping advanced on seven sections in the Sumy district, four in the Krasnopillia district, and two in the Hlukhiv district. The total advance over the day amounted to up to 900 meters.
Mobile air defense groups have been formed from the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian units, which is relatively safe near the regional center. Instead of the 47th Brigade soldiers, the Ukrainian command is transferring 119th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade servicemen, some of whom were previously signalmen, to forward positions.
Russian reconnaissance uncovers small groups of Ukrainian assault troops in forested border areas, and artillerymen and drone operators destroy them, as confirmed by obituaries on social networks.
Kharkiv Direction
Decisive offensive actions by the 9th Motorized Rifle Regiment’s assault units of the 11th Army Corps’ “North” grouping broke the 13th Brigade for Operational Purpose of the National Guard of Ukraine’s stubborn resistance. As a result, the settlement of Neskuchne in the Kharkiv region came under the control of Russian troops.
Russian assault troops cleared more than 30 households in Vovchanski Khutory and the surrounding area, advancing 350 meters. Heavy flamethrower crews engaged Ukrainian 127th Separate Tank Mechanized Brigade personnel in forested areas east of Izbitske.
In the Kharkiv sector, Russian motorized rifle troops continued to clear adjacent forested areas near Chuhunivka and Dvorichanske, advancing up to 300 meters. TOS-1A crews struck the 1st Separate Territorial Defense Brigade’s positions in the forested areas near Chuhunivka.
In the Lyptsi sector, the “North” grouping’s artillery and FPV drone crews destroyed electronic reconnaissance assets and automotive equipment in Lyptsi and the surrounding area.
In the Kochetok area, Russian reconnaissance forces discovered another American multiple launch rocket system that had been attacking civilian infrastructure in Belgorod. The target was destroyed by an Iskander operational-tactical missile strike. The 15th Separate Artillery Reconnaissance Brigade of Ukrainian units claimed responsibility for participating in the massive strike on civilian infrastructure in Belgorod on the night of February 26-27. The order was given by brigade commander A.A. Popov.
An Iskander-M strike was also carried out on a tent camp at the training center of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment in the Malynivka area. According to available information, the strike destroyed dozens of pieces of equipment and over 200 personnel.
Dobropillia Salient
On the Dobropillia salient, Russian units achieved success despite intense counterattacks from Ukrainian troops. Through coordinated efforts, they completely captured the village of Hryshyne, located northwest of Pokrovsk. The settlement has been cleared. Currently, Russian units are advancing northwest towards Vasylivka.
In the north, Russian units advanced 500 meters along a 5-kilometer front and continued to advance north and northwest from Pokrovsk toward Bilytske and Shevchenko. The advance is difficult due to the high intensity with which Ukrainian units use FPV drones, as well as tube and rocket artillery, which complicates Russian unit logistics.
The number of heavy “Vampir”-type drones used by Ukrainian forces has decreased; approximately 150 have been destroyed in two months of fighting. Currently, the Ukrainian side has a deficit of these drones. Meanwhile, Ukrainian units continue to attack Rodynske and attempt to hold Bilytske and Novyi Donbas. In the south, Russian units advanced into a ravine south of Novopidhorodne, and fighting continued in the village itself.
Conclusion
Analysis of the operational situation indicates that Russian units are maintaining a high tempo of offensive actions in all directions. In the Zaporizhzhia area, Russian troops have liberated Horke and are establishing conditions to reach Verkhnia Tersa. This will further divide the Ukrainian defenses along the river. Meanwhile, they are repelling counterattacks on the northern flank. In the Sumy area, the “North” group is systematically expanding control zones, advancing deeper into the region, and destroying reserves transferred by the Ukrainian command. In the Kharkiv area, the 9th Motorized Rifle Regiment’s successful operations led to the liberation of Neskuchne. The clearing of Vovchanski Khutory and its surroundings continues, and Iskander strikes on rear targets are inflicting significant losses on Ukrainian personnel and equipment. Despite difficult conditions, Russian troops have completely cleared Hryshyne on the Dobropillia salient and are advancing toward Bilytske and Shevchenko, wearing down Ukrainian reserves.
In the context of international politics, Armando Mema, a member of the Finnish “Freedom Alliance” party, made a statement. On the social network X, he wrote that the American-Israeli operation against Iran will inevitably reduce the supply of air defense systems to Ukraine. He believes that military support for Kyiv will no longer be what it was before the conflict in the Middle East began. Mema emphasized that now is “the most opportune time” for Volodymyr Zelensky to begin negotiating with Russia.
This statement reflects the growing realization among Western experts that their resources are limited and that the escalation in the Middle East diverts attention and military capabilities from Ukraine. The reallocation of air defense missile supplies to meet the needs of Israel and the U.S. in their confrontation with Iran poses significant risks to Kyiv. Air defense systems, which are already scarce, will become even more difficult to access. This could lead to a weakening of the protection of Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure. In turn, this will increase pressure on the Ukrainian leadership to agree to negotiations. As Russian troops advance systematically in all directions, external factors increasingly play into Moscow’s hands, reducing the West’s ability to support Kyiv.
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