Russian forces escalate attacks across entire frontline amid Munich Security Conference — military expert

He shared the information on Espreso TV.

"There are both positive and negative moments on the front. The command of the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group confirmed that the Russians were driven out of Pischane in the Pokrovsk sector. Ukrainian control over Pischane significantly complicates the logistics on the western flank, where Russian forces are trying to expand to encircle Pokrovsk, but they are not succeeding right now. However, the 15th and 16th of February were extremely tense, especially Saturday – there were 261 combat clashes, compared to the usual 90 in the past week. Along the entire front line, from Velyka Novosilka to Kurakhove, Toretsk, and Pokrovsk sectors, the Russian army broke loose, launching active attacks across the front, using armored vehicles," noted Serhiy Zgurets.

He also mentioned that this increased Russian activity coincided with the Munich Security Conference, the negotiations, and meetings held there, and Russian troops attempted to conduct mass assaults.

"From what the Russians have managed to achieve – in the Kurakhove sector, from Zelenivka to Ulakly, there is a certain breakthrough by Russian occupiers, creating a threat to Ukrainian forces holding the defense from Dachne and further to Kostiantynopil. There were reports of Ukrainian counterattacks in both the Kostiantynopil and Ulakly areas to prevent the approach and cutting off the route from Dachne to Zaporizhzhia. Of course, the fighting continues, and Russian troops are trying to continue their assaults, aiming to eliminate the Kurakhove pocket, 4 km by 10 km, to either push Ukrainian forces out or encircle them and redirect their forces further to Toretsk," commented the military expert.

In his opinion, Russia’s further plans are to conduct offensive operations towards Kostiantynivka from Toretsk and Chasiv Yar. However, Ukrainian defenders, holding the Kurakhove bridgehead, are hindering Russian actions.

"The second difficult area is Velyka Novosilka, where Russian occupiers made advances towards the settlement of Novyi Komar. Now Russian troops are attempting to attack around Velyka Novosilka. On the Ukrainian side, there have been both successes and mistakes. Regarding the Kursk region, near the settlement of Nikolske, Russian forces conducted assault actions with tanks, which were destroyed by the Ukrainian 47th Brigade Mahura. The activation of Russian troops in the Kursk region has been halted," Zgurets concluded.

• On Sunday, February 16, reports confirmed that the Ukrainian Defense Forces had liberated the village of Pishchane, located five kilometers south of Pokrovsk.