February 5-12 live war map: Ukrainian counterattacks yield results 

Russia aims to retake Kursk region by May 9

This task was given to the Russian forces by Putin. It is the third deadline and likely not the last. The situation on the Kursk front clearly shows that Russian forces cannot hold the front line, meaning they do not control it. Therefore, they do not have enough forces to retake Kursk, let alone win the war against Ukraine. This is despite Russia managing to concentrate over 60,000 troops in the area, including North Koreans who have returned to the front. However, over the past month, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have conducted three local counterattacks to improve their tactical position. While the attempt to advance towards Bolshoye Soldatskoye failed to establish control over the settlements (though they managed to expand the gray zone), this week's attack was more successful.

Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12, Photo: Espreso

Specifically, the Ukrainian forces broke through by 5 km into Russian defenses from Makhnovka towards Ulanok. Ukrainian defenders managed to take control of Cherkaskaya Konopelka, Fanaseyevka, and significantly pushed Russian troops back from Sudzha. Ukrainian troops are continuing the advance – battles are ongoing for Ulanok and Plekhovo, intending to push Russian forces across the Psel River and ensure stable flanks. This counterattack has effectively nullified all the gains Russian troops had made in the area over the past two months.

On the left flank, Ukrainian forces managed to push Russian forces back from Malaya Loknya to the north and regained control over several villages from Pogrebki to Viktorovka. Ukraine also advanced further west and took part of Kruglenkoye. Meanwhile, Russian forces tried to move towards Malaya Loknya to the south and breached Ukrainian defenses near Nikolskoye, where fighting is currently ongoing. Further south, Russian troops aim to cut off the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the border and have been attacking the village of Sverdlikovo for over a month. This week, they advanced by 3 km and entered the settlement. However, later the Ukrainian forces conducted a counterattack, and the battle for Sverdlikovo is still ongoing.

It is clear that Kursk will play an important role in negotiations with the Kremlin, and therefore it is unlikely that the Ukrainian forces will leave Russian territory while Washington continues its attempts to negotiate.

Ukrainian forces launch counterattack near Pokrovsk

For the third consecutive week, Russian forces have made little progress near Pokrovsk. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Defense Forces have taken the initiative, launching systematic counterattacks and pushing them back from previously captured positions. This has halved the number of Russian offensives, dropping from 450 to 250, the lowest figure in the last nine months.

On the right flank, near Vozdvyzhenka, occupying Russian forces had their only real success in the entire Pokrovsk sector. They managed to reach the Pokrovsk-Kostiantynivka highway and secured positions around a major road junction, where active battles are ongoing. Additionally, they continued their parallel movement toward the highway from the nearly occupied Baranivka. However, the Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully repelled attempts to seize Vodiane Druhe and halted the Russian advance in this direction. Several other attempts to capture Yelyzavetivka were also repelled.

Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12, Photo: Espreso

Another success for the Ukrainian Armed Forces was the retaking of Dachenske, a village located on the road from Selydove to Pokrovsk, the shortest route to the city. Recently, in Selydove, Ukrainian artillery succeeded in eliminating the command of the 35th Motorized Rifle Battalion, which likely influenced the further development of events in this area.

However, the greatest success for the Ukrainian Defense Forces, including the 425th Separate Assault Regiment Skala, was the operation to retake Pishchane. All the counterattacks show the intention of the Ukrainian command to cut off the Russian left flank protrusion and disrupt their attempts to bypass Pokrovsk from the west. The Solona River and its tributary, Solonenka, could become a natural barrier for pushing back Russian troops. Over the past three weeks, Ukrainian forces have managed to hold back Russian advances in Shevchenkove, Kotlyne, and Udachne. It seems that Russian forces have exhausted the resources that once yielded results. The further development of events will show how much reserve the Russian forces have for a breakthrough on the Pokrovsk front.

Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12, Photo: Espreso

Novopavlivka sector

The Russian movement towards the Dnipropetrovsk region has mostly stalled in Udachne and Uspenivka. The only progress they have made is advancing about 1 km from Sribne to the village of Zaporizhzhia. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have pushed them back on the stretch from Novoyelyzavetivka to Nadiivka, so Russian troops are now trying to bypass Ukrainian defenses from the south and move towards Preobrazhenka, aiming to strike at the flanks of Zaporizhzhia and Nadiivka villages. Heavy fighting continues for all these villages, but the Ukrainian Defense Forces are not giving Russian soldiers a chance to break through quickly. As a result, Russian troops are unable to secure their flank for the bypass of Pokrovsk and cannot send reinforcements, which are currently engaged in battles in the Novopavlivka and post-Kurakhove sectors.

Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12, Photo: Espreso

Andriivka crisis in post-Kurakhove sector

For the past three weeks, occupying Russian forces have tried to infiltrate Andriivka, a key point in Ukrainian defense in this sector. Gradually, they managed to seize many houses in the eastern and central parts of the village, and in recent days, expanded their control even further. Although they failed to break through "head-on" from the side of Shevchenko along the Vovcha River, they managed to bypass the village from the north, from the direction of Petropavlivka and Slovyanka. The village is not lost yet – fierce battles are ongoing, but the trends are negative and could have tactical consequences that threaten the entire post-Kurakhove salient, which is holding defense well in other sectors.

Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12, Photo: Espreso

For three weeks, Russian troops have been unable to dislodge the Ukrainian Defense Forces from Dachne, despite occupying part of the village. They are also pushing from the south to cut off the Dachne–Ulakly road but are suffering heavy losses without any progress. The fiercest battles are currently in Zelenivka, where the Ukrainian Armed Forces recently expelled Russian troops. Now, Russian soldiers are trying to regain their positions, sparing no resources, as Zelenivka could serve as a gateway for an advance on Ulakly and Kostiantynivka.

Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12, Photo: Espreso

Velyka Novosilka: Russia resumes northward advance 

Recently, a prolonged pause ended following the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Velyka Novosilka. The Ukrainian Defense Forces held the settlement for a long time, preventing Russian troops from advancing north. However, unable to cross the Mokri Yaly and Kashlahach rivers, Russian troops bypassed them and advanced north from Vremiivka. Simultaneously, they crossed the Velyka Novosilka–Huliaipole road in several places. Although Russian troops failed to secure positions there, they have moved closer to the village of Novosilka, where a battle is expected to begin soon.

The maps were created using data from the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and other verified open sources. They are approximate and only represent general trends in the combat zone.