Russia's war on Ukraine. 26.02.25
Operational situation
On the Kursk direction, battles continued near Orlovka, Novaya Sorochina, Staraya Sorochina, and Lebedevka, as well as near Novenke and Basivka in Sumy Oblast. The enemy advanced in the center of Pogrebki and is attempting to capture Orlovka, Novaya Sorochina, and Novenke, as well as advance near Maryivka, Kurioivka, and the northern outskirts of Zhuravka.
On the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces conducted offensive operations in the area of Vovchansk.
The "Kharkiv" Operational Tactical Group (OTG) counterattacked near Lyptsi.
On the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces advanced in the areas of Dvorichna, Petropavlivka, Stepova Novoselivka, Zahryzove, Nova Kruhlyakivka, in the direction of Borivska and Andriivka, near Nadiia, and northwest of Tabaiivka. They attempted to push further north and west of Topoli, north of Kucherivka, northwest of Ivanivka, and further northwest of Tabaiivka, near Makiivka and Novovodyane.
Ukrainian Defense Forces advanced west of the R79 highway between Dvorichna and Kupiansk, northeast of Zakhidne, and west of Makiivka.
On the Lyman direction, Russian forces attacked near Novolyubivka, Yampolivka, Zelena Dolyna, Nove, Katerynivka, Dibrova, and in the area of the Serebriansk Forest. They advanced southwest of Terny and attempted to push toward Kolodyazi and
On the Siversk direction, Russian forces conducted assaults near Bilohorivka, Verkhnokamianske, and Ivano-Dariivka.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Bilohorivka, maintaining positions on the outskirts of the village. Fighting continues on the western outskirts, while the northern part remains a contested "gray zone."
On the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces attacked in the Chasiv Yar area and near Stupochky, attempting to advance in both the northern and southern parts of Chasiv Yar and along the T0504 highway between Bakhmut and Kostyantynivka, northeast of Stupochky.
On the Toretsk direction, Russian forces attacked near Toretsk and in the area of Krymske, trying to advance in the northern part of Toretsk.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near the "Toretsk" mine, advancing on the northern outskirts of the town.
On the Pokrovsk direction Russian forces conducted offensive operations near Pokrovsk, Tarasivka, Vodyane Druhe, Promin, Nadiivka, Preobrazhenka, Zaporizhzhia, Leontovychi, Kotlyne, Udachne, and toward Molodetske and Troitske. The enemy attempted to advance near Uspenivka and Nadiivka.
Ukrainian Defense Forces pushed the enemy out of Uspenivka.
On the Novopavlivka direction, Russian forces continued offensives near Andriivka, Konstyantynopil, Ulakly, and Oleksiivka, attempting to advance west of Andriivka and Rozdolne, pushing Ukrainian forces toward the western outskirts of Konstyantynopil.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Konstyantynopil.
On the Huliaypole direction, Russian forces continued attacks near Skudne, Dniproenerhiya, Burlatske, Pryvilne, and Novopil. They advanced north and west of Velyka Novosilka, attempted to capture Skudne, and pushed east and southwest of Burlatske, southwest of Pryvilne, and southwest of Novosilka to encircle Burlatske.
On the Orikhiv direction, Russian forces are engaged in battles for Pyatykhatky and attacked near Kamianske and Maly Shcherbaky, attempting to advance on the eastern outskirts of Pyatykhatky, toward Lobkove, Stepove, and in the direction of Shcherbaky and Maly Shcherbaky.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Lobkove and Stepove.
In the Prydniprovskyi direction, Russian forces launched an offensive toward Sadove.
General conclusion:
Ukrainian Defense Forces regained positions in Kotlyne and pushed the enemy out of Uspenivka.
A decrease in the number of enemy attacks has been recorded in Kursk Oblast. The enemy advanced in Pogrebki.
The enemy occupied Novoocheretuvate and the Zaporizhzhia hamlet, advancing near Preobrazhenka, Topoli, and Skudne.
On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces use donkeys to transport infantry to the frontline.
The Russian Federation is restoring submarine base 825 GTS in Balaklava Bay, occupied Crimea. Naval barriers have been installed at the entrance. The base may be used for servicing surface ships, as it is too small for the existing submarines.
Change in the line of contact (LoC):
There were 92 combat engagements on various fronts.
On the Kharkiv direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled six enemy attacks near Vovchansk and Dvorichna.
On the Kupyansk direction, 5 Russian assaults occurred. Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled assault actions near Petropavlivka and Zahryzove.
On the Lyman direction, the enemy launched nine attacks, attempting to breach Ukrainian defenses near Nadiia, Novolyubivka, Zelena Dolyna, Torske, and Yampolivka.
On the Siversk direction, seven Russian attacks took place near Bilohorivka, Ivano-Dariivka, and Verkhnokamianske.
On the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces attacked near Chasiv Yar.
On the Toretsk direction, seven attacks were carried out near Toretsk and Krymske.
On the Pokrovsk direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces stopped 25 enemy assaults near Promin, Tarasivka, Kotlyne, Pishchane, Nadiivka, Preobrazhenka, and Andriivka.
On the Novopavlivka direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 11 attacks, with the heaviest fighting near Konstyantynopil, Novoocheretuvate, and Burlatske.
On the Orikhiv Direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled five enemy attempts to advance near Maly Shcherbaky, Kamianske, and in the direction of Novoandriivka.
On the Prydniprovskyi direction, the enemy attacked Ukrainian positions once, but the assault was unsuccessful.
In the Black Sea-Azov naval operational area, the enemy naval group on combat duty consists of:
Mediterranean Sea: 4 ships, including 3 cruise missile carriers; the total salvo is 26 cruise missiles.
Supporting operation:
Ukrainian Defense Forces struck targets in Krasnodar Krai, including the seaport of Tuapse. A closed airspace regime was imposed at Sochi airport. Strikes were carried out on targets in Dzhankoy, Kerch, and Sevastopol in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
Changes in the enemy disposition:
The 34th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 49th Combined Arms Army and the 9th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 18th Motorized Rifle Division of the 11th Army Corps operate near Pogrebki. The 22nd Separate SOF Brigade is deployed in Novaya Sorochina, while the 119th Airborne Regiment of the 106th Airborne Division is engaged near Sverdlivkovo.
The 41st Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 72nd Motorized Rifle Division of the 44th Army Corps operates in Kharkiv Oblast.
The 153rd Tank Regiment of the 47th Tank Division of the 1st Tank Army operates near Stepova Novoselivka.
The 7th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 3rd Combined Arms Army is active in Bilohorivka.
The 103rd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 150th Motorized Rifle Division of the 8th Combined Arms Army is engaged in Toretsk. The rest of the division’s regiments are concentrating near the city.
Drone operators from the "Rubicon" Center for Advanced Unmanned Technologies operate on the Pokrovsk direction.
The 39th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 68th Army Corps and the 132nd Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 51st Combined Arms Army are engaged near Konstyantynopil. The 114th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 51st Combined Arms Army and special forces units operate near Oleksiivka.
The 60th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 5th Combined Arms Army is active between Novoocheretuvate and Pryvilne.
The 247th Air Assault Regiment of the 7th Air Assault Division operates near Pyatykhatky, Lobkove, and Stepove.
Possible operation situation developments:
Once the enemy sufficiently expands its bridgeheads on the Chornyi Zherebets River, the 25th Army, with forces of the 67th Motorized Rifle Division and the 164th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, will sharply intensify actions toward Torske and Yampolivka. This will mark the second stage of pushing "Khortytsia" OSG out of the bridgehead east of the Chornyi Zherebets River on the Lyman direction.
On the Toretsk direction, the enemy command is finalizing the deployment of the 8th Combined Arms Army within the operational zone of the 51st Combined Arms Army and is expected to launch an operation shortly, aiming to break through toward the area south and west of Kostyantynivka.
The operational plan of the 8th Combined Arms Army on the Kostyantynivka direction is to envelop the tactical group of the "Khortytsia" OSG, which is defending south of Kostyantynivka between Oleksandropil and Tarasivka from the flanks. The enemy aims to encircle and destroy this group or, if unable to do so, force it to withdraw from the area south of Kostyantynivka in a northwestern direction under the threat of encirclement. The ultimate goal of these actions is a two-pronged breakthrough from the southwest and southeast toward the area of Stepanivka – Berestok – Pleshchiivka – Yablunivka, followed by a simultaneous assault on Kostyantynivka from this area and from the direction of Chasiv Yar.
After the first stage (reaching the Poltavka–Pleshchiivka line), the enemy’s 3rd Combined Arms Army, reinforced by an airborne forces group, will attempt a rapid breakthrough from the bridgehead on the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas canal in the Chasiv Yar area, advancing from the northeast toward Kostyantynivka.
Russian operational losses from 23.02.22 to 26.02.25
Personnel - almost 870,700 (+1,170);
Tanks – 10,201 (+19);
Armored combat vehicles – 21,183 (+15);
Artillery systems – 23,686 (+34);
Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,299 (0);
Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 1,085 (+2);
Vehicles and fuel tanks – 38,702 (+120);
Aircraft - 370 (0);
Helicopters – 331 (0);
UAV operational and tactical level – 26.961 (+134);
Intercepted cruise missiles – 3,064 (0)
Boats/ships – 29 (0).
Humanitarian + general:
Overnight of February 25, Russian forces had attacked Ukraine with 177 Shahed-type strike UAVs and various types of decoy drones; 110 drones were destroyed, while 66 were lost in unknown locations. Kyiv, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, and Sumy Oblasts suffered from the attack.
On the night of February 26, Kharkiv was shelled by Russian forces. Preliminary reports indicate four strikes in the Shevchenkivskyi and Kyivskyi districts of the city, with two people injured.
Two people were killed and two others injured in a Russian drone attack in Bucha District, Kyiv Oblast. The deceased woman was a journalist for the national news agency "Ukrinform," and her husband was a well-known surgeon.
At least five people were killed and 11 wounded in Russian strikes on Kostyantynivka, Donetsk Oblast, on February 26. According to preliminary reports, Russians dropped three guided aerial bombs on the city and its surroundings.
A 65-year-old man was killed in a Russian drone attack on the village of Lvove, Kherson Oblast, while on a street in the settlement.
Around 15:35 on February 26, Russian armed forces launched another airstrike on Zolochiv, Bohodukhiv District. At least 35 residential houses, farm buildings, cars, and power lines were damaged. A 70-year-old man and his 67-year-old wife suffered acute stress reactions.
Throughout the day, Russian forces attacked Nikopol District, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, nearly 20 times using strike drones and artillery. Two people were injured, and an industrial facility, infrastructure, and civilian objects were damaged.
During a massive attack, Russia struck a DTEK energy facility in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, the company reported. However, the energy company did not specify which facility was hit or the extent of the damage.
In Donetsk Oblast, 215 children still remain in settlements classified as active combat zones.
Due to network restrictions caused by Russian shelling, power outages have been imposed in Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk Oblasts, according to NEC "Ukrenergo."
Russia frequently violates agreements on prisoner exchanges, failing to deliver agreed-upon individuals or replacing them with others. Ukraine receives refusals for 98% of its exchange requests, and even when agreements are reached, the negotiation process remains complex and does not guarantee results, said Bohdan Okhrimenko, head of the Secretariat of the Coordination Headquarters for Prisoner Affairs. He also noted that Russia has broken agreements on other issues, including the return of captive female service members.
Olga Kuryshko, the President's Representative in Crimea, reported that Russian occupiers have issued nearly 500 sentences for "evading service in the ranks of the Russian Armed Forces" in the occupied Crimea.