Journalist and military expert Yurii Butusov, commenting on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s remarks regarding the successful results on the Oleksandrivka axis in January–August 2026, stated that the actual situation differs significantly and requires a completely different focus. He wrote about this on his Facebook page, according to the Ukrainian News agency.

According to Butusov, who cites accounts from defenders on this section of the front, at the end of 2025, due to the failure to deploy Defense Forces reserves in a timely manner, the enemy captured an important communications hub on the outskirts of Zaporizhzhia—the town of Huliaipole.

“As a result of effective actions by our troops, the Russian offensive was halted in fierce counterattacks; the enemy suffered heavy losses, and the front has stabilized. However, we were unable to recapture Huliaipole, which was evidently one of the operation’s objectives. Unfortunately, Ukraine lost several hundred square kilometers. However, part of the lost territory was recaptured. If we use the term ‘liberated,’ this amounts to up to 150 square kilometers, according to some of our well-informed military sources. Everything else should be considered “control restored,” or, in some areas, it would be more accurate to say “partial control restored.” And it’s important to distinguish between these different concepts,” – the journalist explains.

Butusov also noted that all 26 settlements listed by the head of state had already been liberated while Oleksandr Syrskyi was serving as commander-in-chief from February to June of this year. However, the military analyst emphasizes that, for some reason, Syrskyi did not make any statements about these achievements.

“Why? Because the Russian command, at both the operational and strategic levels, does not have complete information about the actual situation. The battle continues, the enemy is advancing, the operation is far from over, and Syrskyi did not deem it appropriate to announce the results of ongoing operations,” – Butusov concludes. 

In closing, he noted that the situation on the front remains extremely dire—russian occupiers are advancing on the outskirts of Sloviansk, Druzhkivka, and Dobropillia, have captured a large part of Kostiantynivka, and the situation near Zaporizhzhia and Sumy remains very tense.

“We all need to avoid complacency; on the contrary, we need a clear assessment of the threats and challenges. Because only an objective acknowledgment of reality will allow us to determine the paths to defeating the enemy. There is a risk that no real changes in the defense forces will be possible if the distortion of concepts, the exaggeration of actual results, and the concealment of problems continue,” – explains Butusov.

As a reminder, on Wednesday, August 12, following a briefing by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykhailo Drapatyi, Zelenskyy stated that the Armed Forces had conducted effective offensive operations and, in half a year, liberated 26 settlements and 745 km² of Ukrainian territory. 

© 2026 Ukrainian News Agency