Ukraine counterattacks on Belgorod, wants to stop Russia's advance on the front line

On March 18, Russia said about 200 Ukrainian soldiers and five tanks tried to cross the border west of Belgorod, near the villages of Demidovka and Prilesye, but were stopped.

Russian military bloggers say Ukraine is forcing Russia to “spread out” its forces by expanding the fighting in Belgorod. One pro-Russian account claims Kiev is still sending small groups of infantry into the area in light armored vehicles, while Moscow claims it has destroyed most of these forces, including Leopard tanks donated by the West.

Ukraine is launching a counter-offensive into Russia's Belgorod border region. Map image: X/War Mapper

According to the investigative channel Agentstvo, the Russian army gained only 22.5 square kilometers of territory in Ukraine from March 10 to 16. Meanwhile, the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said Russia has not made any significant progress in Kursk, despite continuing to attack the remaining Ukrainian positions there.

ISW also assessed that Russian forces showed no signs of advancing closer to Kharkiv, Kupiansk or expanding control over key areas such as Borova and Lyman. Moscow has not confirmed any progress in Chasiv Yar, Toretsk, Kurakove and Velyka Novosilka, although there has been some military activity in Siversk and Zaporizhzhia.

Russian servicemen stand next to a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher in the Belgorod region, Russia. Photo: Sputnik

Both Russia and Ukraine are vying for control around Pokrovsk in the Donbas region, an area of ​​fierce fighting that has been ongoing for some time.

On March 22, the Ukrainian General Staff announced that it had destroyed a Russian command post in Belgorod, disrupting communications and affecting attacks on Sumy and Kharkiv.

The conflict between the two sides continues to escalate, while talks with US groups are expected to take place in Saudi Arabia.

Ngoc Anh (according to WM, ISW, Newsweek, KYI)