Russians Tried 619 Ground Attacks On Ukraine Over 4 Days Last Week. All Failed

The Ukrainians were waiting. As Russia launched - or, more accurately - attempted to launch its spring offensive, Ukraine's forces knew where, how and, frequently, when they would attack. The resulting beat-down was catastrophic for the Russian units involved with casualties inflicted that set new records for the war now in its fifth year. 

Ukrainian units are also continuing to counterattack and advance opportunistically as depleted Russian forces reorganize and retreat in the face of the Ukrainian onslaught. JL

Benjamin Murdoch reports in the Euromaidan Press:

Ukrainian forces have repelled a surge in Russian offensive operations across multiple front directions carrying out 619 attacks between March 17-20 . After several days of intense fighting in which Russian troops increased the intensity of their assaults, Moscow failed to achieve its objectives.  Ukrainian units were prepared for the escalation, having reinforced positions with additional personnel, equipment, and ammunition. The heaviest pressure was concentrated on the Pokrovsk and Oleksandrivsk directions in Donetsk Oblast, with 163 and 96 assaults respectively. Russian forces lost more than 6,000 soldiers killed and wounded, while total weekly losses reached 8,700. Despite committing significant reserves, Russian forces were unable to break through Ukrainian defensive lines.

Ukrainian forces have repelled a surge in Russian offensive operations across multiple front directions, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said, describing several days of intense fighting in which Moscow failed to achieve its objectives.

According to Syrskyi, Russian troops sharply increased the intensity of assaults between 17 and 20 March, carrying out 619 attacks along the front line. 

Pokrovsk and Oleksandrivsk bear the brunt

The heaviest pressure was concentrated on the Pokrovsk and Oleksandrivsk directions in Donetsk Oblast, with 163 and 96 assaults respectively.

The Oleksandrivsk axis remains one of the most contested sectors of the front, located near the administrative border with Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, where Ukrainian forces have recently conducted counteroffensive actions and regained ground following earlier Russian attempts to establish a foothold in the area. 

Fighting continues across Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kharkiv oblasts

Heavy fighting also continued near Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast, as well as along the Lyman direction spanning Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, the Kupiansk direction in Kharkiv Oblast, and the Ocheretyne area in Donetsk Oblast.

Despite committing significant reserves, Russian forces were unable to break through Ukrainian defensive lines, Syrskyi said. Ukrainian troops halted the offensive in several areas, while in others high-intensity fighting continues as Russian units regroup and prepare for renewed attacks.

Frontline in Eastern Ukraine as of 23 March 2026. Map: DeepState

Russia lost over 6,000 troops in four days 

 

“Overall, the enemy failed to accomplish its assigned tasks,” Syrskyi said, adding that Russian forces are attempting to bring in reinforcements and are counting on worsening weather conditions to reduce the effectiveness of Ukrainian drones and artillery.

He described the attacks as “meat assaults” involving tens of thousands of troops, with heavy losses. Over four days alone, Russian forces lost more than 6,000 soldiers killed and wounded, while total weekly losses reached around 8,700, according to the Ukrainian command.

Ukraine says it was ready – and in some sectors has seized the initiative

Syrskyi said Ukrainian units were prepared for the escalation, having reinforced positions with additional personnel, equipment, and ammunition. He credited the defense to the “courage and resilience” of Ukrainian soldiers holding the line under sustained pressure.

He added that in some sectors Ukrainian forces have seized the initiative and are conducting active defensive operations, signaling localized counterattacks despite ongoing Russian pressure along the front