Feb 22, 2026 

Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces (DShV) have officially confirmed a major offensive operation currently underway on the Oleksandrivsk axis. The high-stakes mission is designed to shatter Russian plans for an advance into the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.

Led by the Commander of the Air Assault Forces, General Oleh Apostol, the operation involves elite units including the 82nd Bukovyna and 95th Polissia Air Assault Brigades.

The primary objective is the total destruction of Russian groupings and their expulsion beyond the administrative borders of the Dnipropetrovsk region.

Despite heavy Russian resistance and the deployment of significant enemy reserves, Ukrainian paratroopers have maintained a high operational tempo.

The DShV describes the battlefield as “extremely dynamic,” reporting that Ukrainian units are successfully repelling Russian counterattacks while simultaneously pushing forward.

The breakthrough has already yielded significant results, with over 300 square kilometers of territory reclaimed and cleared of Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups (DRGs).

So far, eight settlements have been liberated as Ukrainian forces continue to tighten their grip on the region.

On February 20, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hinted at these gains, noting the liberation of the first 300 square kilometers, and military officials emphasize that the “active phase” is still ongoing with more developments expected as the offensive deepens.

https://united24media.com/latest-news/ukraines-elite-airborne-forces-are-on-the-counteroffensive-what-we-know-so-far-16144