First-Hand Accounts of Ukraine’s Counteroffensive

Map: DeepStateUA

The offensive operation in the Oleksandrivka direction has been ongoing since January 2026.

In the first phase of the counteroffensive, Ukraine managed to liberate approximately 450 square kilometers of territory.

The second phase began on May 5 and remains ongoing. As of mid-August, Ukrainian forces have restored control over approximately 490 square kilometers, liberating 12 settlements, including eight in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and four in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Ukrainian forces also conducted search-and-destroy operations against Russian troops that had infiltrated an area of approximately 300 square kilometers.

Across both phases of the offensive, Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces have liberated or restored control over approximately 745 square kilometers of territory and 26 settlements.

Per Senior Lieutenant Denys Bobkov, head of communications for the 37th Separate Marine Brigade, the brigade’s units operated in Donetsk Oblast. In particular, its troops took part in the liberation of Novokhatske, Yalta, Filiia, Hrushivske, Zelenyi Hai, and Tovste.

“Our role was to help our paratrooper comrades clear these settlements. We established positions there, while our units also provided fire support, engaged enemy forces with drones, and handled logistics, which is also extremely important during de-occupation,” Denys Bobkov said.