Syrsky stated that the Russian army’s attempts to advance had failed

Between 17 and 20 March, that is, over a period of four days, the intensity of the enemy’s offensive operations increased. The enemy attempted to breach our defences on several strategic fronts simultaneously. Fierce fighting broke out along the entire line of contact. In total, the enemy carried out 619 assault operations over these four days.

This was reported on Telegram by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi.

The occupiers concentrated their main assault on the Pokrovsk and Oleksandrivsk directions. That is where the highest number of enemy attacks took place. In particular, on the Pokrovsk direction, the enemy attacked our troops’ positions 163 times, and on the Oleksandrivsk direction – 96 times.

In the Kostiantynivka sector, Russian troops carried out 84 assaults, whilst in the Ocheretine, Lyman and Kupiansk sectors, there were in total over 150 combat engagements. Syrskyi writes that, despite enormous pressure and the deployment of significant reserves, the Russian command failed to accomplish its objectives.

“Thanks to the professional, coordinated actions of Ukrainian soldiers, the enemy’s offensive operations were halted in several sectors. In some sections of the front, high-intensity fighting continues, but the enemy is forced to regroup its forces,” he said.

The occupiers are attempting to bring in fresh units and are preparing to resume their attacks, banking on deteriorating weather conditions, which, in their view, should reduce the effectiveness of Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance and hinder the operation of our unmanned aerial vehicles and artillery.

The Russian military command has thrown tens of thousands of soldiers into “meat grinders”, but the cost of this attempted offensive has proved catastrophic for the aggressor. Over four days of intense assault operations, the enemy lost more than 6,090 servicemen killed and wounded, whilst over the course of the week the enemy’s total losses amounted to around 8,710 personnel killed and seriously wounded. The Defence Forces also destroyed a significant amount of enemy military equipment and weaponry.

“We were prepared for an increase in the intensity of the Russian horde’s onslaught, so we took the necessary operational decisions. The troops received reinforcements and were supplied with military equipment, weapons and ammunition,” added Syrskyi, emphasising that the successful repulsion of the enemy’s massive assaults was made possible first and foremost by the courage and resilience of every soldier carrying out combat missions and maintaining discipline in these extremely difficult conditions.

In certain areas, our soldiers have seized the initiative and are conducting their own active operations, employing active defence tactics.