Ukraine reports 98 battles along front line, with heaviest Russian attacks in Pokrovsk sector

This was reported by the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. 

Ukraine's defense forces are holding back the Russian aggressor’s offensive. The total number of battles at this time stands at 98. The defense forces are taking the necessary measures to prevent the enemy from advancing deeper into Ukrainian territory, the report said.

Today, communities in the settlements of Khrinivka in the Chernihiv region and Oleksandrivka, Myropil, Popivka, Bila Beriza, Kruzhok, Petrushivka, Shalyhyne, and Ulanove in the Sumy region were affected by Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Situation on the main fronts:

In the Kharkiv direction, the Russian troops attacked Ukrainian positions three times near Kamyanka and Zapadne, with two battles still ongoing.

In the Kupiansk direction, Russian soldiers carried out five attacks near Petropavlivka, Kruhlyakivka, and Bohuslavka. Three battles are still continuing.

In the Lyman direction, the invading Russian army launched six attacks today on Ukrainian positions near Novomykhailivka, Novyi, Olhivka, Zarichne, and Yampolivka. Three battles are currently ongoing.

In the Kramatorsk direction, Russia is attempting to advance in the areas of Chasiv Yar, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Stupochky, and Kurdiumivka. Two of the five attacks were repelled by the Defense Forces, and the battles continue.

In the Toretsk direction, the Russian forces are trying to break through Ukrainian defenses in the areas of Toretsk, Dachne, Druzhba, Ozyarivka, Dilyivka, and Leonidivka. Four attacks are ongoing, and Ukrainian defenders have repelled 13 assaults.

In the Pokrovsk direction, since the beginning of the day, Russian invaders have made 31 attempts to push Ukrainian troops from their positions in the areas of Vodyane Druhe, Svyrydonyvka, Promin, Novopavlivka, Kotlyne, Udachne, Novooleksandrivka, Bohdanivka, and Andriivka. The Defense Forces have repelled 25 attacks, with six battles still ongoing. Russian aviation struck with guided aerial bombs on Pokrovsk, Novopavlivka, Leontovych, Zviriv, Novoserhiyivka, Horikhove, Nadiivka, and Oleksiivka.

In the Novopavlivka direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled eight Russian assaults, with one battle still ongoing. Russia is trying to advance in the areas of Pryvillya, Vesely, and Kostyantynopil.

In the Hulyaipole direction, the Defense Forces successfully repelled eight Russian attacks in the areas of Novosilka and Novopil. The settlement of Shevchenko was struck by two guided bombs.

In the Orikhiv direction, Ukrainian defenders are repelling five attacks from Russians in the directions of Stepove and Lobkove.

The operation in the Kursk region continues. Ukrainian forces have repelled four Russian attacks on March 17, with five more battles still ongoing. The Russian aviation carried out seven strikes, dropping nine guided aerial bombs. Additionally, the Russian army conducted 165 artillery shellings of Ukrainian troops' positions and civilian settlements. 

No battles occurred today on the Siverskyi and Prydniprovsky directions.

No significant changes have been recorded in other front sectors.

• The General Staff denies Russian claims of encirclement in Kursk region, calling them propaganda aimed at pressuring Ukraine and its international partners.
• The Russian forces lost more tanks in the first two months of 2024 than the entire German Bundeswehr has in service — nearly 300.