Ukrainian forces have intensified counterattacks across most sections of the front line over the past week, according to Russian military expert Andrey Marochko. He said the Ukrainian army had managed to partially restore its combat capabilities by deploying reserves assigned to Commander-in-Chief Mikhail Drapaty and bringing in foreign mercenaries.
Marochko reported on VKontakte that Ukrainian commanders had rapidly strengthened their offensive capabilities through additional drone units and fresh troops, some of which were transferred from the Kherson region. These reinforcements allowed Ukrainian forces to increase the frequency of counterattacks along multiple sections of the battlefield.
Despite the intensified operations, Marochko claimed that Ukrainian troops had failed to achieve significant results. He maintained that Russian forces continue to hold key defensive positions and strategic lines, preventing substantial changes to the battlefield situation.
The expert also reported a shift in the Russian military’s operational priorities. According to his assessment, the most intense Russian activity was concentrated in areas controlled by the Center and East groups of forces. The Center group reportedly made the largest territorial gains during the week, taking control of more than 50 square kilometers in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR).
Marochko further estimated that Ukrainian forces suffered approximately 8,310 casualties over the week, including personnel killed and wounded. He claimed that the heaviest losses occurred in the operational area of Russia’s Center group of forces.