Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Commander-in-Chief Mykhaylo Drapatyy visited the Oleksandrivka sector of the front on 26 August, where the Defence Forces’ offensive operation is under way. They met defenders from the 80th Separate Air Assault Halychyna Brigade.
The president reported this. He said they had discussed strengthening defences with the commanders.
“There are specific requests: provision of drones, the need for long-range artillery and small radars, the issue of direct funding for brigades, unauthorised absence from service, training and incentives for troops. We will work through everything. We need to strengthen our defenders as much as possible,” the head of state said.
Acting brigade commander Dmytro Savon reported on the fulfilment of assigned tasks, outstanding issues and forecasts, the president’s press service added.
During the trip, Zelenskyy awarded servicemen the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyy, 3rd Class, and the “For Courage” order, Classes I–III, as well as the medals “For Military Service to Ukraine”, “Defender of the Fatherland” and “For Saving a Life”.
Offensive in the Oleksandrivka sector
Since January this year, Ukraine’s army has been conducting an offensive in the Oleksandrivskyy sector. It is important for Russia to fully occupy Donetsk Region. The enemy tried to advance along the Donetsk–Zaporizhzhya highway and break through towards the Pokrovsk sector to facilitate the capture of Hulyaypole, Viktor Kevlyuk explained.
On 16 February, the then Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyy confirmed that the Defence Forces had launched a counter-offensive in the Hulyyipole area. According to France 24, over four days the Ukrainian army took control of 200 square kilometres.
As of 12 August, defenders had liberated 26 settlements. That is 745 square kilometres.
On 17 August, the 5th Assault Brigade said that after losing positions in the Oleksandrivka sector, the Russian troops had not stopped applying pressure in the Hulyaypole sector. Heavy fighting continues there, with the Defence Forces holding back the offensive under constant Russian fire.
As of 22 August, three villages in Dnipropetrovsk Region remained under occupation.