12.03.2026
Ukrainian defenders have advanced near Kupyansk (Kharkiv region), Oleksandrivka (Donetsk region), and Hulyaipol (Zaporizhzhya region). The Defense Forces are also making progress on the tactical direction Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka,
Donetsk region.
For their part, Russian troops are also continuing to attempt to advance on these front lines, but so far without success, according to a recent report by the Institute for the Study of War.
The situation in the Kupyansk direction
Ukrainian forces have recently made some minor advances in the Kupyansk direction. Geolocation videos released on March 10 captured the clearing of a substation north of Kivsharivka (southeast of Kupyansk), indicating Ukrainian forces are advancing in the area.
At the same time, on March 10–11, Russian troops attempted to advance towards Kupyansk, as well as east of the city.
The situation in the Kostyantynivka and Druzhkivka areas
Ukrainian forces have recently advanced on the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical direction. Geolocation footage released on March 9 shows Ukrainian military shelling Russian positions east of Kostyantynivka.
This indicates that Russian units previously penetrated the fields near the city, but analysts consider this material archival and note that Russian forces are likely no longer holding these positions.
Other geolocation videos also show Russian shelling of Ukrainian troops north of Ivano-Frankivsk, which may indicate a slight advance by Ukrainian forces in the area.
“Geolocation footage published on March 11 shows Russian troops shelling Ukrainian positions southwest of Berestok (south of Kostyantynivka). Artillery is a zone-destruction weapon, and its use indicates that Russian troops are likely not present southwest of Berestok,” the material notes.
Additionally, videos released on March 10 and 11 show Russian forces shelling Ukrainian positions south of Kostyantynivka and east of Illinivka. The use of artillery, which is a zone-of-effect weapon, may indicate that the Russians do not have a direct presence in these areas.
Also during March 10–11, Russian forces carried out attacks near Kostyantynivka itself, as well as southeast of the city near Ivano-Frankivsk and Pleshchiivka. Fighting was also recorded south of Kostyantynivka near Berestok, southwest of Illinivka and Stepanivka, as well as in the areas of Rusyn Yar, Sofiivka, and Novopavlivka near Druzhkivka.
“A Kremlin-linked military blogger stated on March 10 that both Ukrainian and Russian forces are focused primarily on strikes against drone operators and drone control infrastructure in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka direction. The military blogger claimed that Russian forces are beginning to prioritize strikes against Ukrainian logistics,” the report says.
The situation in the Oleksandrivske direction
Ukrainian forces have recently advanced in the Oleksandrivka direction. Geolocation videos released on March 10 show Ukrainian forces striking a Russian military post southeast of Oleksandrivka, which may indicate the liberation of the settlement.
At the same time, on March 10–11, Russian troops attacked southeast of Oleksandrivka – near Novohryhorivka and in the direction of Verbovye, and Russian military bloggers reported on Ukrainian counterattacks near Hay.
According to the spokesman for the Southern Defense Forces, Colonel Vladyslav Voloshyn, the fighting for Novohryhorivka and Berezove near the administrative border of Zaporizhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions continues.
According to him, units of the Russian 90th Tank Division continue to operate in this direction, and significant losses have made the 6th Tank Regiment of this division virtually incapable of combat. Also, according to available information, the division command is transferring detained servicemen from other units to replenish the unit.
The situation in the Hulyaipil direction
Additionally, Ukrainian forces have made progress in the Hulyaipil direction. Geolocation videos from March 11 show the clearing of a house and basement previously controlled by Russian troops southeast of Rozhdvyanka.
At the same time, on March 10–11, Russian troops attacked near Hulyaipol and in various areas around the city – in particular near Rizdvyanka, Tsvitkivka, Varvarivka, Sviatopetrivka, Staroukrainka, Verkhnya Tersa, Zarechny, Zaliznychny, Hirky and Myrny, while Russian sources reported counterattacks by Ukrainian forces in the areas of Rizdvyanka, Vozdvizhivka and Pryluky.
As OBOZ.UA reported, the Defense Forces carried out two separate offensives in the Dnipropetrovsk region and advanced 10–12 kilometers into enemy positions. Since the end of January 2026, as a result of these actions, more than 400 square kilometers of territory have been liberated.
It’s a great change of pace to see the AFU advancing, but not only once or twice, but for weeks.