Weekly Russia-Ukraine war summary: AFU counterattacks near Pokrovsk, Russia’s “psychological assault” in Kursk, battles for Kostyantynopil

Russian forces failed to resume their offensive on both the western and eastern flanks of the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration but did achieve localized gains, including the capture of the village of Srybne. Russian serviceman Sviatoslav Golikov reported that relentless Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian logistics had led to food, water, and fuel shortages, along with heating problems among Russian troops in the Pokrovsk area. Ukrainian dominance in the low-altitude airspace in the area was also confirmed by Ukrainian analyst Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov.

In the Kurakhove operational area, Russian forces managed to eliminate a Ukrainian “pocket” west of Kurakhove. A massive assault began on Feb. 15, forcing Ukrainian troops to retreat from Dachne and Zelenivka. Russian sources later published footage of troops raising their flag in Ulakly. According to a report by self-styled “war correspondent” Yuri Kotenok, Russian troops also established positions in the southern part of Kostyantynopil, west of Ulakly. A Ukrainian serviceman — the author of the channel Ofitser ✙ — reported that the fighting along the Kostyantynopil-Ulakly defensive line cost Russia at least 39 units of military equipment.