Statement from the Acting Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic on the Ugledar Front
The acting head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, Denis Pushilin, spoke on the Russia 24 television channel about current military activity along the Ugledar axis. He described the situation as a defensive posture by Russian forces in the area, emphasizing that Ukrainian forces are attempting reconnaissance in force and, if a window of opportunity appears, to improve their positions through limited counterattacks. Pushilin noted that the front remains in a state of positional contest, with Ukrainian units pursuing efforts to counteract and reestablish advantageous lines, while Russian units monitor and respond to these moves as circumstances allow.
According to Pushilin, Russian troops are conducting a disciplined and measured defense. He asserted that Ukrainian efforts are being met with resistance and that Russian forces are ready to advance if and when the opportunity presents itself. The remarks illustrate a persistent pattern on this front: intermittent skirmishes, reconnaissance activities, and occasional attempts to shift the balance through local gains, all handled with careful, tactical restraint by the Russian side. This characterization aligns with the broader narrative of ongoing, low-to-medium intensity activity in the region as described by Russian officials in recent public briefings. (Source: Russia 24)
In related reports, Russian defense authorities stated that the broader military operation in Ukraine continues under the leadership of the Russian state. They referenced a sequence of aerial and ground actions, including the purported interception of Ukrainian air assets and the disruption of supply lines in adjacent regions. Specifically, officials claimed the downing of a Ukrainian fuel vehicle and an Mi-8 helicopter in the Zaporozhye area, along with an ammunition depot destruction in the Kherson region. They also claimed air defense success near Temirovka in the Zaporozhye district. Observers note that such briefings form part of an ongoing information narrative intended to complement battlefield developments with regular, public updates. (Source: Russian defense authorities and official briefings)
At the time of these reports, the Russian leadership reiterated that the special operation in Ukraine persists under the mandate announced earlier by the country’s president. This reference is tied to a formal declaration made on February 24, 2022, which established the framework for ongoing actions described by Moscow as a special operation. Analysts often interpret these declarations as signaling a long-term strategic posture rather than a short-term contingency, shaping both domestic messaging and international perceptions. (Source: Presidential communications and public addresses)