Ukrainian forces are successfully counterattacking not only in the Oleksandrivka and Hulyaipole directions but also in western Zaporizhia Oblast. These counterattacks are generating tactical, operational and strategic effects that may disrupt Russia’s Spring-Summer 2026 offensive campaign plan.

Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets reported on March 9 that the Russian Dnepr Grouping of Forces (GoF), which includes the 58th Combined Arms Army (CAA, Southern Military District [SMD]) and operates in western Zaporizhia and Kherson oblasts, has “virtually halted” advances near Orikhiv and in the area just south of Zaporizhzhia City, west of Orikhiv.[1] Mashovets reported that Ukrainian counterattacks in the Richne-Prymorske direction (both south of Zaporizhzhia City) forced Russian small groups to retreat from northern and central Prymorske. Mashovets stated that Ukrainian forces pushed Russian forces out of Novoyakolivka and northern Lukyanivkse (both southeast of Zaporizhzhia City) and noted that Ukrainian forces pushed Russian forces south of Pavlivka (just south of Novoyakolivka).

Mashovets reported that Russian forces are unsuccessfully attempting to advance near Orikhiv itself, attacking southeast of Orikhiv near Bilohirya and Mala Tokmachka, south of Orikhiv near Robotyne and Danylivka, and west and northwest of Orikhiv toward Mali Shcherbaky in the direction of Novopavlivka without success. Mashovets noted that the counterattacks are forcing elements of the 58th CAA and attached airborne (VDV) elements to repel Ukrainian counterattacks instead of furthering their advances.

Russia is now officially shitting the bed.