Situation in Ukraine as of February 28: Analysis and Review of Open Sources

Igor Zhdanov, the Minister of Youth and sports in Ukraine (2014-2019), a public and political figure, Maidan commandant during the Revolution of Dignity, member of the Maidan Council, candidate of political sciences, ATO volunteer, analyst of the NGO "Open Policy Foundation"

1. The blitzkrieg of the Russian aggressor completely failed.

On the fifth day of the war, The enemy did not fulfill any of its strategic tasks: the capital was completely under control of the Armed forces of Ukraine, and in Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernigov, Kherson, and Mykolayiv, The occupiers received a harsh response. None of the attacked regional centers came under control of the occupiers.

According to the general staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, during the four days of the war Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine has cost them approximately 5,300 Russian soldiers. So far, the Russian army lost 29 aircrafts, 29 helicopters, 191 tanks, 816 armored combat vehicles, 74 guns, one anti-aircraft missile system BUK, 21 “hail”, and 2 ship/boats.

The Russian General stuff does not provide data on its losses.

2. The operational and tactical situation in Ukraine has not changed significantly compared to February 26th, the fate of the war will be decided in Kyiv.

The operational pause, which occurred on February 26, was used by both the enemy and our troops to rest, regroup and receive some reserves.

On February 27, the Russian aggressor tried to resume his strikes. However near Kyiv, in Bucha, his Chechen columns were defeated, in the North and near Kharkiv the enemy was repulsed and did not advance, only in the South the enemy achieved partial success, by threatening the environment of the Mariupol group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

One of the