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Ukrainian defenders have thwarted a large-scale strategic offensive that Russia had planned for March, according to an evening address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The president thanked Ukrainian troops holding the front line and eliminating invading forces.
“The Ukrainian Defense Forces have disrupted a Russian strategic offensive operation that the enemy planned for this March,” Zelenskyy said. He noted that while Russian assaults are ongoing, their intensity and scale are far below what had been planned and promised to Russia’s political leadership.
Zelenskyy emphasized that battlefield strength directly affects Ukraine’s international standing and diplomacy.
“Our strength at the front is the strength of all Ukraine’s positions — in communication with the world, in our diplomacy, and in the world’s ability to stand with us despite any challenges,” he said.
He also revealed that he had spoken on March 16 with Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, and praised Ukrainian soldiers for their performance.
Russia’s plans
Earlier in March, Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian intelligence had obtained documents outlining Russia’s military plans for 2026–2027. According to him, Russia aims to fully occupy the Donetsk Oblast and Luhansk Oblast, while continuing attempts to advance in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast and Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
He also noted that Russian forces are eyeing the Odesa Oblast, though he stressed that such plans are far from reality.
