Defence forces have thwarted a Russian offensive planned for March — Zelenskyy

In his evening address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian defence forces had thwarted a large-scale offensive operation that Russia had planned to launch this March. According to him, although enemy attacks continue on a daily basis, the intensity and scale of the assaults do not meet the expectations that the Russian command had promised its political leadership.

Zelenskyy emphasised that the Ukrainian army continues to hold its defences and degrade the enemy’s capabilities, preventing it from achieving its strategic objectives. He also reported on a meeting with Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, during which plans for the regions’ resilience and the provision of financial resources were discussed. The President stressed that the implementation of these plans depends to a large extent on support from partners.

Separately, Zelenskyy highlighted the importance of sanctions against Russia and international aid packages. He recalled the European Union’s decision to allocate €90 billion in support, which must be put into practice so that Ukrainian regions are as prepared for the coming winter as they were for the previous one.

Thus, the failure of Russia’s March offensive served as further proof of the resilience of Ukrainian defence forces and the effectiveness of international support. The President’s statement sends a signal to both Ukrainians and the world: the Kremlin is unable to carry out its strategic plans, whilst Ukraine continues to fight and strengthen its defences.