Valery Gerasimov
Since the beginning of February this year, 12 settlements have been brought under the control of Russian troops, reported the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Federation, Valery Gerasimov, who inspected the "Center" grouping. According to Gerasimov, units and military formations have liberated more than 200 square kilometers of territory, despite the harsh winter conditions. "In the course of two weeks in February, 12 settlements have been liberated," he noted.
The most intense fighting is taking place in the area of responsibility of the "Center" grouping, where Russian troops continue their offensive towards Dobropolie.
“We continue to liberate the settlements of Novy Donbass and Belitskoye. In Grishino, our forces are engaged in street battles with the enemy, who is holding positions. Fighting is also ongoing for control over Novopavlovka and Novopodgornoye,” Gerasimov added.
The Russian army is also expanding the "security zone" in the border areas of Sumy and Kharkiv regions. Gerasimov reported the capture of Popovka and Sidorovka in the Sumy region, as well as Chugunovka in Kharkiv, which the Ministry of Defense had previously reported.
“The 'West' grouping of troops is actively advancing on a wide front, eliminating the remnants of the enemy, who are blocked on the eastern bank of the Oskol River. In this area, Glushkova has been liberated, and fighting continues in the vicinity of Novoosinovo,” he noted.
In the Krasnoliman direction, the operation to clear the settlements of Drobyshevo and Yarovaya of Ukrainian servicemen is nearing completion, while the "Southern" grouping of troops is advancing towards Slavyansk.
Gerasimov also reported on the offensive of the "East" troops in the eastern part of the Zaporizhzhia region, where the enemy is redeploying its most prepared units to stop the Russian advance. “Our forces are confidently repelling enemy attacks,” he said, adding that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are suffering significant losses.
The "Dnieper" grouping of troops is advancing towards Zaporizhzhia, and the Chief of the General Staff reported the transition of the settlements of Primorskoye, Magdalinovka, and Zapasnoye under Russian control.
Gerasimov also noted that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are experiencing difficulties in replenishing their losses and are focusing on forming additional unmanned systems units and increasing the number of strike UAVs.
“At the same time, our troops are using UAVs twice as much as the enemy,” he added.
Earlier, The New York Times reported that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are in a difficult situation in the areas of Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk), Dimitrov (Mirnograd), and Gulyaipole, which are strategically important for future operations, journalists note.
