Since the beginning of February 2026, Russian troops have captured 12 settlements in the combat zone. This information was announced by Valery Gerasimov, the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Federation, who was inspecting the "Center" troop grouping, according to the Ministry of Defense.
Gerasimov noted that during the two weeks of February, despite difficult winter conditions, Russian forces managed to liberate 12 settlements and capture more than 200 square kilometers of territory.
According to him, the most intense fighting is taking place in the area of responsibility of the "Center" grouping, where Russian troops continue their offensive towards Dobropillya.
"The settlements of Novy Donbass and Belitskoye are in the process of being liberated. In Grishino, our troops are engaged in street battles with the enemy, who is holding positions in this area. Combat operations are also ongoing for Novopavlivka and Novopodgorniy," Gerasimov reported.
He added that the Russian army continues to expand the "security zone" in the border regions of Sumy and Kharkiv. Gerasimov reported the capture of Popovka and Sidorovka in Sumy region, as well as Chugunovka in Kharkiv, which the Ministry of Defense had previously reported.
"The 'West' troop grouping is actively operating on a wide front in its area of responsibility, continuing to destroy the remaining enemy forces blocked on the eastern bank of the Oskol River. In this area, Glushkova has been liberated, and fighting continues near Novoosynovo," he added.
In the Krasnolymansk direction, the operation to clear the settlements of Drobyshevo and Yarovaya from the Ukrainian army is nearing completion, and the troops of the "South" grouping are moving towards Slavyansk, noted Gerasimov.
According to him, the "East" grouping is actively advancing in the eastern part of the Zaporizhzhia region. The enemy command, trying to stop the Russian advance, has redeployed the most prepared units from other areas; however, Russian units are successfully repelling their attacks, leading to significant losses for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The "Dnipro" grouping is also advancing towards Zaporizhzhia, and Gerasimov reported the transition of the settlements of Primorskoye, Magdalinovka, and Zapasnoye under the control of the Russian army.
Additionally, Gerasimov noted that the Ukrainian armed forces are experiencing difficulties in replenishing their losses. In these conditions, Ukraine is increasing efforts to create additional drone units and to increase the number of strike UAVs.
"At the same time, our units are using UAVs on average twice as much as the enemy," emphasized Gerasimov.
Earlier, The New York Times, citing analysts, reported on the difficult situation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the areas of Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk), Dimitrov (Mirnograd), and Gulyaipole, which have strategic significance and could become staging grounds for future operations, noted the journalists.
