Ukraine Reports Significant Gains in Recent Counteroffensives in East and South

Ukrainian troops have retaken territory in two separate operations this year, one around the city of Lyman in the east and another in the south, according to multiple sources including drone footage, soldier reports and independent analysts. The Institute for the Study of War noted that its mapping may underestimate the extent of the gains around Lyman.

In March, Ukrainian commander-in-chief General Syrskyi said the forces had regained a larger area in a single month than Russian forces had captured during the same period since 2024. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy added that Ukrainian units had carried out several important defensive and offensive actions in the south over the past six weeks, resulting in the liberation of over 400 square kilometres.

Analysts observe that these operations reflect a shift toward new forms of offensive manoeuvre that rely on combined-arms tactics, extensive use of aerial and ground drones, and AI-assisted decision-making. The Ukrainian military has reportedly employed drones such as Darts, RAM-2X, Hornets and the Fire Point FP-2, alongside integrated sensor platforms, to enhance reconnaissance, disrupt Russian logistics and provide electronic-warfare support.

The Lyman offensive is seen as an operational spoiler to Russia’s planned double-envelopment of Ukrainian-held cities in the Donbas, a strategy that Russian planners have pursued since early 2024. The recent Ukrainian advances have halted that axis of advance, reducing the likelihood of a large-scale encirclement this year.

Experts highlight the importance of operational security and deception in these successes, noting that earlier Ukrainian offensives suffered from leaked objectives, whereas the current operations were tightly concealed, contributing to strategic surprise.

While Ukraine continues to test and refine these tactics, analysts caution that Russia is likely to study and attempt to replicate the methods, potentially narrowing Ukraine’s current advantage. The developments are being watched as a case study in how modern militaries adapt to emerging technologies and evolving battlefield conditions.