Russia suffers heavy losses in failed assault push

The Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said Russian forces carried out 619 assault operations between March 17 and March 20, 2026, but failed to break Ukrainian defenses and suffered heavy losses during the offensive.

Syrskyi said Ukrainian command anticipated the escalation and reinforced frontline units in advance, allowing forces to absorb and halt the attacks.

The main effort was concentrated along the Pokrovsk and Oleksandrivsk directions, where Russian forces conducted the largest number of assaults. Ukrainian positions near Pokrovsk were attacked 163 times, while another 96 assaults were recorded in the Oleksandrivsk sector.

Other sectors also saw sustained combat. Russian forces carried out 84 assault actions near Kostiantynivka, while more than 150 engagements took place across the Ocheretyne, Lyman, and Kupiansk directions combined. Fighting along the line of contact remained intense, with repeated attempts to breach Ukrainian positions.

Despite the scale of the offensive and the use of large reserves, Russian forces did not achieve their objectives. Syrskyi said Ukrainian troops stopped offensive actions in several sectors and forced Russian units to regroup. In some areas, high-intensity combat continues, but the tempo of assaults has decreased.

The Ukrainian commander emphasized the cost of the failed offensive. He said Russian forces lost more than 6,090 personnel killed or wounded during four days of assault operations. Total weekly losses reached approximately 8,710 personnel killed and seriously wounded.

According to Syrskyi, Russian command committed large numbers of troops in repeated frontal attacks, often described as “meat assaults,” which rely on sustained pressure rather than maneuver. These tactics resulted in high casualty rates without achieving a breakthrough.

Ukrainian forces also destroyed multiple pieces of Russian military equipment and weapons during defensive operations. As noted by the Ukrainian military leadership, prior reinforcement of units with personnel, weapons, and ammunition played a key role in maintaining defensive stability.

Syrskyi said Russian forces are attempting to regroup and deploy additional units while preparing for further attacks. He added that Russian planners appear to be relying on worsening weather conditions to reduce the effectiveness of Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance, drone operations, and artillery.

In operational terms, Ukrainian forces combined artillery, drones, and fortified positions to disrupt advancing units. In some areas, troops have shifted to “active defense,” conducting localized counteractions to regain initiative.

Syrskyi noted that Ukrainian troops maintained cohesion under sustained pressure and, in some sectors, seized the initiative. He credited the outcome to coordinated command decisions and the resilience of frontline units.