05/18/2026
The Ukrainian Defense Forces are gradually seizing the initiative on the battlefield thanks to flexible defense, counterattacks, strikes on Russian rear areas, and the active introduction of new technologies. The russian army, despite loud statements about a large-scale spring offensive, has failed to achieve its goals and is suffering significant losses.
This was stated by Serhiy Bratchuk, spokesman for the Ukrainian Volunteer Army “South”, in a comment to Ukrinform.
Ukraine is changing the situation on the front thanks to new technologies
According to Bratchuk, the Ukrainian army has adapted to modern warfare and has begun to effectively combine defensive actions with technological solutions.
“Our flexible defense, high-quality training of personnel, counterattacks, together with modern technologies, made it possible to liberate Ukrainian territories in certain locations,” said Bratchuk.
The spokesman for the UDA “Pivden” emphasized that Ukraine is actively developing not only unmanned technologies in the air, but also ground-based robotic complexes.
According to him, successful combat operations are currently underway in several directions, but details are not yet being disclosed for security reasons.
Ukraine has a strategic initiative in the Black Sea
Separately, Bratchuk commented on the situation in the Black Sea. He emphasized that Ukraine has already been able to seize the strategic initiative there and is gradually pushing Russian forces out of the water area.
“The battle continues, but the battles today are being won by Ukraine, we are pushing the enemy out of the waters,” the spokesman said.
In addition, he reported on the creation of Ukrainian guided aerial bombs.
According to Bratchuk, the first use of Ukrainian KABs could take place in the near future or even “right now.”
Russia did not achieve the goals of the spring offensive
Bratchuk also commented on the statements of Russian propagandists about a new summer offensive. According to him, such rhetoric indicates the failure of the previous offensive campaign of the Russian Federation.
“The spring offensive phase failed. The Russians did not achieve even a single operational-tactical goal on the battlefield,” he said.
The spokesman added that the Russian army loses between 30,000 and 34,000 soldiers every month. According to him, Russia’s mobilization resources no longer allow it to fully compensate for such losses.
Strikes on the Russian rear complicate the supply of the army
Bratchuk emphasized that Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory significantly affect Russian logistics and frontline support.
“Today, the enemy does not have time to provide large-scale resources from the rear for the entire front, which is extremely long,” he explained.
According to the spokesman, modern warfare no longer has a classic front line. Instead, the Defense Forces create so-called “gray” and “dead” zones for the enemy and conduct operations where Russian defenses have weaknesses.
“All of Ukraine’s actions on the battlefield today are strategic: from the front itself and battles on the contact line to strikes deep into the territory of the Russian Federation,” Bratchuk concluded.
As OBOZ.UA reported, Ukraine has created the first guided aerial bomb (GAB), which is ready for combat use. The weapon has a unique design and is not a copy of either Western or Soviet models. Ukrainian pilots are already testing GABs in real combat conditions.