Southern front of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

In the aftermath of the Maidan Revolution in 2014, Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine.{{Cite news|last1=Myers|first1=Steven Lee|last2=Barry|first2=Ellen|date=18 March 2014|title=Putin Reclaims Crimea for Russia and Bitterly Denounces the West|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/19/world/europe/ukraine.html|access-date=25 February 2022|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=2 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102070617/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/19/world/europe/ukraine.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=18 March 2014|title=Ukraine crisis: Putin signs Russia-Crimea treaty|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26630062|access-date=25 February 2022|archive-date=30 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130105851/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26630062|url-status=live}} Russian troops occupied the self-proclaimed Republic of Crimea for the next eight years. The Chonhar Peninsula bordering Crimea was under Russian control until December 2014; the Ukrainian military began fortifying it the following year, placing explosives on several bridges in the area, though most of these failed to detonate on the first day of the invasion.{{cite web|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/articles/2023/09/21/7420733/|first=Sonia|last=Lukashova|website=Ukrainska Pravda|title=Reconstructing chronology of how Ukraine's Armed Forces prepared to defend the south, mined Chonhar and fought for Kherson Oblast|date=2023-09-21|access-date=2024-05-04}}

The Russian military presence in Crimea significantly increased during the pre-war military buildup on Ukraine's borders, with over 10,000 additional troops deployed in late January and early February.{{Cite news|last=Schwirtz|first=Michael|date=4 February 2022|title=Russian Troops in Final Stages of Readiness Add to Worries for Ukraine|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/04/world/europe/russian-troops-ukraine-crimean-peninsula.html|access-date=25 February 2022|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225104156/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/04/world/europe/russian-troops-ukraine-crimean-peninsula.html|url-status=live}} On the eve of the invasion, Russian manpower in Crimea was estimated at 90,000.{{cite web|url=https://www.currenttime.tv/a/rekonstruktsiya-okkupatsii-pochemu-armiya-rf-otnositelno-legko-i-bystro-vzyala-pod-kontrol-hersonskuyu-oblast-/31892781.html|title=Реконструкция оккупации. Почему армия РФ относительно легко и быстро взяла под контроль Херсонскую область?|access-date=2024-02-28|date=2022-06-11|author=Иван Гребенюк|publisher=Current Time TV|lang=ru}}

Ukrainian plans called for Operational Command South, under Major General {{ill|Andrii Sokolov|uk|Соколов Андрій Васильович}}, to be assigned two brigades of 3,000-5,000 men each, and a battalion of 500 troops stationed directly on the border with Crimea. In case of active hostilities, the formation was to be reinforced with two brigades of territorial defense: the 110th and 124th.{{cite web|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/articles/2023/09/18/7420200/|title=Major General Andrii Sokolov was in charge of the defence of Ukraine's south. An interview covering Chonhar, Kherson and Melitopol|date=2023-09-18|access-date=2024-05-04|first1=Sonia|last1=Lukashova|first2=Yevhen|last2=Buderatskyi|website=Ukrainska Pravda}}

In reality, the Ukrainian force in the south mostly consisted of the main units of the 59th Motorized Infantry Brigade and the 137th Marine Battalion of the 35th Marine Brigade. A planned second brigade was never assigned, the territorial defense brigades had yet to be staffed, and the existing units were only at about 50-60% strength due to losses from fighting in the east and training assignments for various sub-units in different parts of the country. As a result, the Ukrainian force at the beginning of the invasion comprised about 1,300 men of the 59th Brigade stationed at a camp in the Oleshky Sands, 250-300 marines of the 137th Battalion positioned at the entrances to mainland Ukraine from Crimea, and various supplementary forces numbering "a couple hundred".

Russian documents captured by the Ukrainian military indicated plans to bypass Mykolaiv and land at Odesa within five days, capture Bilhorod-Dnistrovsky by the ninth day of the invasion, and reach the Moldova–Ukraine border by the eleventh day.

By 3:30 on 24 February, Ukraine closed all commercial shipping in the Sea of Azov, leaving more than 100 ships stuck in port.{{Cite news|title=Ukraine Closes Sea of Azov Amid Military Action by Russia|url=https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/russia-ukraine-latest-news/card/ukraine-closes-sea-of-asov-amid-military-action-by-russia-Sg4Q4idnoBwfzSAOZXsd|access-date=25 February 2022|newspaper=WSJ|language=en|archive-date=24 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224230824/https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/russia-ukraine-latest-news/card/ukraine-closes-sea-of-asov-amid-military-action-by-russia-Sg4Q4idnoBwfzSAOZXsd|url-status=live}} Starting at 4:00, the Ukrainian military observed over thirty Russian military aircraft taking off from Crimea. The planes flew over the Black and Azov Seas, launching strikes on Ukrainian military targets at 5:00, including "almost all" the military facilities in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts. Col. {{ill|Vadym Rymarenko|uk|Римаренко Вадим Володимирович}}, commanding the 137th Battalion, then reported that the Russian forces in Crimea had opened fire on the battalion's positions on the border.

According to Sokolov, up to 20,000 Russian troops in 25 battalion tactical groups took part in the subsequent invasion, including the entire 22nd Army Corps, at least one division of the 58th Combined Arms Army, and around half of the 7th Air Assault Division.

{{see also|Battle of Kherson|Battle of Mykolaiv|Battle of Voznesensk|2022 Chornobaivka attacks}}

File:Moving of Russian military vehicles from Crimea to mainland Ukraine 24 February 2022.webm on 24 February 2022]]

Shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine, the Russian Air Force began to launch cruise and ballistic missiles at targets in several cities in Kherson Oblast. With air support, Russian Armed Forces then crossed into Kherson Oblast from Crimea.{{Cite news|date=24 February 2022|title=Ukraine conflict: What we know about the invasion|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60504334|access-date=25 February 2022|archive-date=24 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224183844/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60504334|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Huang|first=Han|title=How did Russia attack Ukraine? Invasion map explained in graphics|url=https://multimedia.scmp.com/infographics/news/world/article/3168280/ukraine-crisis/index.html?src=social|access-date=25 February 2022|website=South China Morning Post|language=en|archive-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225151458/https://multimedia.scmp.com/infographics/news/world/article/3168280/ukraine-crisis/index.html?src=social|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=24 February 2022|title=Watch {{!}} Russian vehicles enter Ukraine via Crimea|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/watch-russian-vehicles-enter-ukraine-via-crimea/article65080171.ece|access-date=25 February 2022|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=24 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224155313/https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/watch-russian-vehicles-enter-ukraine-via-crimea/article65080171.ece|url-status=live}} The Russian Navy used a naval blockade in the Black Sea to prevent Ukraine from providing support to units located near Kherson Oblast, and restrict commercial trade and the flow of goods to southern Ukraine.{{Cite web|date=10 February 2022|title=Black Sea blockade: Ukraine accuses Russia of major maritime escalation|url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/black-sea-blockade-ukraine-accuses-russia-of-major-maritime-escalation/|access-date=25 February 2022|website=Atlantic Council|language=en-US|archive-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225062950/https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/black-sea-blockade-ukraine-accuses-russia-of-major-maritime-escalation/|url-status=live}}

By evening, the Russians had reached Kherson. The Russians initially crossed the Dnieper River over the Antonovskiy Bridge, but Ukrainian mechanized forces were able to recapture the bridge.{{Cite web|title=Імовірність прориву на Миколаїв знизилася: військові відстояли Антонівський міст|date=25 February 2022 |url=https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/3412184-imovirnist-prorivu-na-mikolaiv-znizilasa-vijskovi-vidstoali-antonivskij-mist.html|access-date=25 February 2022|agency=Ukrinform|language=uk|archive-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225015322/https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/3412184-imovirnist-prorivu-na-mikolaiv-znizilasa-vijskovi-vidstoali-antonivskij-mist.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Ukraine loses control over crossing to Kherson |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3412906-ukraine-loses-control-over-crossing-to-kherson.html |access-date=25 February 2022 |agency=Ukrinform |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225155031/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3412906-ukraine-loses-control-over-crossing-to-kherson.html |url-status=live}}

Combat engineers of Ukraine's 137th Battalion were ordered to destroy a bridge connecting Henichesk with the Arabat Spit, in an attempt to slow the advance of Russian troops from Crimea, allowing the Ukrainians to retreat and regroup.{{Cite web |title=Ukrainian serviceman Skakun blows up Henichesk bridge to stop advance of tank column |date=25 February 2022 |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3412500-ukrainian-serviceman-skakun-blows-up-henichesk-bridge-to-stop-advance-of-tank-column.html |access-date=27 February 2022 |agency=Ukrinform |language=en |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226232241/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3412500-ukrainian-serviceman-skakun-blows-up-henichesk-bridge-to-stop-advance-of-tank-column.html |url-status=live }} Vitalii Skakun, the combat engineer who planted the explosives on the bridge, did not have enough time to retreat from the bridge, and so detonated the mines, killing himself and destroying the bridge.{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/ukrainian-soldier-blew-himself-bridge-175326145.html|website=yahoo.com|title=Ukrainian soldier blew himself up on bridge to block advancement of Russian tanks|date=25 February 2022 |access-date=26 February 2022|archive-date=26 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226013445/https://www.yahoo.com/now/ukrainian-soldier-blew-himself-bridge-175326145.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=25 February 2022 |title=Ukrainian soldier blew himself up on bridge to block advancement of Russian tanks |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-soldier-russia-henichesk-bridge-b2023517.html |access-date=27 February 2022 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226064619/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-soldier-russia-henichesk-bridge-b2023517.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web|title=Повелителі трьох стихій: про життя та місію морпіхів|url=https://www.ukrainer.net/zhyttia-ta-misiia-morpikhiv/|date=2023-12-08|access-date=2024-05-10|lang=uk}}{{Cite web |title=Vitalii Skakun, who blew up the bridge in Henichesk at the cost of his own life, is a graduate of Lviv Polytechnic |date=26 February 2022 |publisher=Lviv Polytechnic National University |url=https://lpnu.ua/en/news/vitalii-skakun-who-blew-bridge-henichesk-cost-his-own-life-graduate-lviv-polytechnic |access-date=27 February 2022 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227071005/https://lpnu.ua/en/news/vitalii-skakun-who-blew-bridge-henichesk-cost-his-own-life-graduate-lviv-polytechnic |url-status=live}}

The Ukrainian military announced that its Operational Command South had prepared the defense of Melitopol and was conducting defensive operations outside the settlement of Rykove.{{Cite news |date=23 February 2022 |title=General Staff: Battles ongoing along border, 20 Russian helicopters land near Kyiv |work=Ukrinform |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3411880-general-staff-battles-ongoing-along-border-20-russian-helicopters-land-near-kyiv.html |access-date=8 April 2022 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225013715/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3411880-general-staff-battles-ongoing-along-border-20-russian-helicopters-land-near-kyiv.html |url-status=live }}

Russian troops moved towards Nova Kakhovka and established control over the North Crimean Canal on 24 February.{{Cite web|date=24 February 2022|title=Russian troops moving towards town of Nova Kakhovka in Kherson Oblast.|url=https://kyivindependent.com/uncategorized/russian-troops-moving-towards-town-of-nova-kakhovka-in-kherson-oblast/|access-date=25 February 2022|website=The Kyiv Independent|language=en-US|archive-date=24 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224213221/https://kyivindependent.com/uncategorized/russian-troops-moving-towards-town-of-nova-kakhovka-in-kherson-oblast/|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Russian forces unblock water flow for canal to annexed Crimea, Moscow says |first1=Alexander |last1=Marrow |first2=Andrey |last2=Ostroukh |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-forces-unblock-water-flow-canal-annexed-crimea-moscow-says-2022-02-24/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220301/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-forces-unblock-water-flow-canal-annexed-crimea-moscow-says-2022-02-24/ |archive-date=1 March 2022 |work=Reuters |date=24 February 2022}}{{cite news |title=Russian forces unblock water flow for canal to annexed Crimea, Moscow says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-forces-unblock-water-flow-canal-annexed-crimea-moscow-says-2022-02-24/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220301/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-forces-unblock-water-flow-canal-annexed-crimea-moscow-says-2022-02-24/ |archive-date=1 March 2022 |work=Reuters |date=24 February 2022}}{{cbignore}} Following Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, Ukraine had blocked the canal,{{cite news |title=Russia Says Captured Key Water Supply Route to Crimea |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/02/25/russia-says-captured-key-water-supply-route-to-crimea-a76591 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220301/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/02/25/russia-says-captured-key-water-supply-route-to-crimea-a76591 |archive-date=1 March 2022 |work=The Moscow Times |date=25 February 2022}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite news|last1=Schwirtz|first1=Michael|last2=Schmitt|first2=Eric|last3=MacFarquhar|first3=Neil|date=25 February 2022|title=Russia Batters Ukraine With Artillery Strikes as West Condemns Invasion|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/24/world/russia-ukraine-invasion-putin-biden.html|access-date=25 February 2022|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225062949/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/24/world/russia-ukraine-invasion-putin-biden.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=25 February 2022|title=Российские войска вышли к Херсону и восстановили подачу воды в Крым|url=https://ria.ru/20220224/kanal-1774876399.html|access-date=25 February 2022|agency=РИА Новости|language=ru|archive-date=24 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224214657/https://ria.ru/20220224/kanal-1774876399.html|url-status=live}} which had provided 85% of Crimea's drinking water.{{cite news |title=Dam leaves Crimea population in chronic water shortage |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2017/1/4/dam-leaves-crimea-population-in-chronic-water-shortage |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220301/https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2017/1/4/dam-leaves-crimea-population-in-chronic-water-shortage |archive-date=1 March 2022 |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=4 January 2017}}{{cbignore}} Sergey Aksyonov, head of the Republic of Crimea, told local authorities to prepare the canal to receive water from the Dnieper and resume the supply of water to Crimea the following day.{{cite news |title=Canal in annexed Crimea to be readied for water from Ukraine's Dnieper, official says |url=https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canal-in-annexed-crimea-to-be-readied-for-water-from-ukraines-dnieper-official-says |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220301/https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canal-in-annexed-crimea-to-be-readied-for-water-from-ukraines-dnieper-official-says |archive-date=1 March 2022 |access-date=24 February 2022 |work=National Post |agency=Reuters |date=24 February 2022}}{{cbignore}}

Russian forces recaptured the Antonovskiy Bridge on the evening of 25 February.{{Cite web|title=Ukraine loses control over crossing to Kherson|date=25 February 2022 |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3412906-ukraine-loses-control-over-crossing-to-kherson.html|access-date=25 February 2022|agency=Ukrinform|language=en|archive-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225155031/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3412906-ukraine-loses-control-over-crossing-to-kherson.html|url-status=live}}

File:Брошенная база ВСУ под Херсоном 004.png

On 26 February, according to Kherson mayor Ihor Kolykhaiev, a Ukrainian airstrike forced the Russians to retreat from Kherson, leaving the city under Ukrainian control.{{cite tweet |author=The Kyiv Independent |user=KyivIndependent |number=1497483346640703489 |date=26 February 2022 |title=Kherson mayor: City under Ukrainian control. After an aircraft attack on Russian armored vehicles, they backed off from the city. Mayor Ihor Kolyhaiev said trolleybuses were operating, and the food situation was "being resolved." |language=en |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226081116/https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1497483346640703489 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |url-status=live}}

{{Cite web |title=Херсон наш: на линии вышли троллейбусы, водоснабжение в обычном режиме, в бомбоубежищах родились двое малышей {{!}} Новости Одессы

|url=https://dumskaya.net/news/herson-nash-kommunalshchiki-ubirayut-gorod-na-li-160332/

|access-date=26 February 2022

|website=dumskaya.net

|archive-date=26 February 2022

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226151104/https://dumskaya.net/news/herson-nash-kommunalshchiki-ubirayut-gorod-na-li-160332/

|url-status=live

}} Ukrainian forces later recaptured the bridge.{{Cite web |last=Paton Walsh |first=Nick |title=Battle rages for strategic bridge in southern Ukraine after days of fighting |date=26 February 2022 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/26/europe/ukraine-kherson-bridge-battle-saturday-intl/index.html |access-date=27 February 2022 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226205412/https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/26/europe/ukraine-kherson-bridge-battle-saturday-intl/index.html |url-status=live}} A Ukrainian official said that Russian forces had killed a journalist and an ambulance driver near the village of Zelenivka, a northern suburb of Kherson.

{{Cite web |title=Journalist shot dead by Russian occupiers in Kherson Region

|date=27 February 2022

|url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3414210-journalist-shot-dead-by-russian-occupiers-in-kherson-region.html

|access-date=27 February 2022

|agency=Ukrinform

|language=en |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227001016/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3414210-journalist-shot-dead-by-russian-occupiers-in-kherson-region.html |url-status=live}}

Another Ukrainian official later claimed that a Russian army column was defeated between the towns of Radensk and Oleshky, just south of Kherson.{{Cite web |title=Column of Russian occupiers defeated in Kherson region – Interior Ministry |date=26 February 2022 |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3413646-column-of-russian-occupiers-defeated-in-kherson-region-interior-ministry.html |access-date=27 February 2022 |agency=Ukrinform |language=en |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227001146/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3413646-column-of-russian-occupiers-defeated-in-kherson-region-interior-ministry.html |url-status=live}}

In the afternoon of 26 February, 12 Russian tanks managed to break through in Kakhovka on the Dnieper and began advancing towards Mykolaiv.{{cite web |last= |first= |date=26 February 2022 |title=Миколаїв готується до кругової оборони: до міста прориваються 12 танків |url=https://24tv.ua/mikolayiv-gotuyetsya-do-krugovoyi-oboroni-do-mista-prorivayutsya_n1880448 |access-date=26 February 2022 |website=24tv |publisher=24-Канал |language=uk |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226122345/https://24tv.ua/mikolayiv-gotuyetsya-do-krugovoyi-oboroni-do-mista-prorivayutsya_n1880448 |url-status=live}} Vitaliy Kim, the governor of Mykolaiv Oblast, said the city had had five hours to prepare.{{cite web |last=Mazurenko |first=Alona |date=26 February 2022 |title=Миколаїв готується до кругової оборони: пруть ворожі танки |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/02/26/7326123/ |access-date=26 February 2022 |website=24tv |publisher=24-Канал |language=uk |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226114606/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/02/26/7326123/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=26 February 2022 |title=Russian invasion update: Mykolaiv preparing for all-round defense, tanks break through from Kakhovka |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3413803-russian-invasion-update-mykolaiv-preparing-for-allround-defense-tanks-break-through-from-kakhovka.html |access-date=26 February 2022 |publisher=Ukrinform |language=en |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227033632/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3413803-russian-invasion-update-mykolaiv-preparing-for-allround-defense-tanks-break-through-from-kakhovka.html |url-status=live}} Artillery and other arms were prepared.{{cite web |last=Kornilov |first=Mikhailo |date=26 February 2022 |title=Миколаїв готується до кругової оборони |url=https://telegraf.com.ua/ukr/ukraina/2022-02-26/5697645-nikolaev-gotovitsya-k-krugovoy-oborone |access-date=26 February 2022 |website=Telegraf |language=uk |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226122941/https://telegraf.com.ua/ukr/ukraina/2022-02-26/5697645-nikolaev-gotovitsya-k-krugovoy-oborone |url-status=live}}

By evening, Russian tanks were in the outskirts of Mykolaiv. Oleksandr Senkevych, the mayor of Mykolaiv, ordered citizens to stay indoors, as far away from windows as possible.{{cite web |last= |first= |date=26 February 2022 |title=Миколаїв готується до оборони: розвели міст через річку, а людей просять не виходити |url=https://tsn.ua/ukrayina/mikolayiv-gotuyetsya-do-oboroni-rozveli-mist-cherez-richku-a-lyudey-prosyat-ne-vihoditi-1988419.html |access-date=26 February 2022 |website=TSN |publisher=Televiziyna Sluzhba Novyn |language=uk |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225174009/https://tsn.ua/ukrayina/mikolayiv-gotuyetsya-do-oboroni-rozveli-mist-cherez-richku-a-lyudey-prosyat-ne-vihoditi-1988419.html |url-status=live}} Shortly after, Russian troops entered the city and a battle erupted outside of a shopping mall about 10 minutes later.{{cite web |last=Kniazhik |first=Oksana |date=26 February 2022 |title=Бои за Николаев: в городе слышны выстрелы, объявлен сбор медиков |url=https://24tv.ua/ru/boi-za-nikolaev-gorode-slyshny-vystrely-objavlen-sbor-medikov_n1880868 |access-date=26 February 2022 |website=24tv |publisher=24-Канал |language=uk |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227032301/https://24tv.ua/ru/boi-za-nikolaev-gorode-slyshny-vystrely-objavlen-sbor-medikov_n1880868 |url-status=live}} According to some reports, tanks "passed through the city".{{cite web |last=Poliakovska |first=Tanya |date=26 February 2022 |title=Танки пройшли через Миколаїв зі стріляниною – ОДА |url=https://www.unian.ua/war/tanki-proyshli-cherez-mikolajiv-zi-strilyaninoyu-oda-novini-donbasu-11719732.html |access-date=26 February 2022 |publisher=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency |language=uk |quote= |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227032414/https://www.unian.ua/war/tanki-proyshli-cherez-mikolajiv-zi-strilyaninoyu-oda-novini-donbasu-11719732.html |url-status=live}} There were also sightings of large fires.{{cite web |url=https://inshe.tv/society/2022-02-26/660845/ |title=В Николаеве русские танки прошли через город с боем, — губернатор Ким |first= |last= |date=26 February 2022 |website=inshe.tv |publisher= |language=uk |access-date= |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228023437/https://inshe.tv/society/2022-02-26/660845/ |url-status=live}} The next day, Ukrainian officials claimed that Russian forces were fully driven away from Mykolaiv.{{cite web |url=https://tsn.ua/ukrayina/mikolayiv-zalishayetsya-pid-kontrolem-ukrayini-1990018.html |title=Миколаїв залишається під контролем України |language=uk |last= |first= |date=26 February 2022 |website=Televiziyna Sluzhba Novyn |access-date=26 February 2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226220720/https://tsn.ua/ukrayina/mikolayiv-zalishayetsya-pid-kontrolem-ukrayini-1990018.html}} The city was extensively damaged.{{Cite tweet |user=GoncharenkoUa |number=1497851093962870784 |title=Mykolaiv's center after the night battle. Welcome to hell.}}{{cite web |url=https://t.me/insiderUKR/22262 |title=Инсайдер Украина Новости Война |language=uk |date=27 February 2022 |website=Telegram (via Twitter link) |publisher=Insider Ukraine |access-date=26 February 2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227093825/https://t.me/insiderUKR/22262}}{{Cite tweet |user=MilitaryLandnet |number=1497674630781456397 |title=After fierce fighting, Ukrainian troops repulses the enemy attack on #Mykolaiv}}

Russian Ministry of Defense spokesperson Igor Konashenkov announced that the city of Henichesk and Kherson International Airport had surrendered to Russian forces in the morning.{{cite web|url=https://www.pnp.ru/politics/v-minoborony-soobshhili-ob-unichtozhenii-975-voennykh-obektov-ukrainy.html|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220227/https://www.pnp.ru/politics/v-minoborony-soobshhili-ob-unichtozhenii-975-voennykh-obektov-ukrainy.html|archive-date=27 February 2022 |title=В Минобороны сообщили об уничтожении 975 военных объектов Украины |trans-title=The Ministry of Defense announced the destruction of 975 military facilities of Ukraine |language=ru |date=27 February 2022}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite news |date=27 February 2022 |title=Russia says it "blocks" Ukraine's Kherson, Berdyansk – RIA |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-crisis-russia-kherson-idUKKBN2KW06V |access-date=27 February 2022 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228023418/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-crisis-russia-kherson-idUKKBN2KW06V |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |author=Nathan Hodge |date=27 February 2022 |title=Russia claims two southern cities "completely blocked" by Russian troops |url=https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-27-22/h_4f05c694328a288c6dcdf5a5bdf3248f |access-date=27 February 2022 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227092455/https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-27-22/h_4f05c694328a288c6dcdf5a5bdf3248f |url-status=live}} Later, Russian forces encircled and captured a part of Kherson,{{cite web|url=https://blazetrends.com/war-in-ukraine-russian-army-makes-a-breakthrough-in-the-countrys-second-city-the-battle-for-kiev-continues/|title=War in Ukraine: Russian army makes a "breakthrough" in the country's second city, the battle for Kiev continues|date=27 February 2022|access-date=27 February 2022|archive-date=28 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228023414/https://blazetrends.com/war-in-ukraine-russian-army-makes-a-breakthrough-in-the-countrys-second-city-the-battle-for-kiev-continues/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/27/kyiv-surrounded-says-mayor-fighting-on-fourth-day-of-russian-invasion-of-ukraine|title=Russian forces advance on Kyiv: fighting on fourth day of invasion|work=The Guardian|date=27 February 2022|quote=Ukrainian defence sources said that Russian forces captured part of Kherson, the city at the mouth of the Dnieper River.|access-date=27 February 2022|archive-date=27 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227203050/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/27/kyiv-surrounded-says-mayor-fighting-on-fourth-day-of-russian-invasion-of-ukraine|url-status=live}} with Ukrainian officials corroborating this claim.{{cite web |date=27 February 2022 |title=Russian forces advance on Kyiv: fighting on fourth day of invasion |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/27/kyiv-surrounded-says-mayor-fighting-on-fourth-day-of-russian-invasion-of-ukraine |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227203050/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/27/kyiv-surrounded-says-mayor-fighting-on-fourth-day-of-russian-invasion-of-ukraine |archive-date=27 February 2022 |access-date=27 February 2022 |work=The Guardian}}

On 28 February, Ukrainian official Vadim Denysenko accused Russian forces of trying to use civilians from villages around Kherson as human shields to cross the bridge into Kherson.{{cite web|url=https://ua.interfax.com.ua/news/general/803678.html|title=Denysenko: Column of Russian military equipment near Makariv, Kyiv region destroyed|agency=Interfax Ukraine|date=28 February 2022|accessdate=28 February 2022|archive-date=28 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228105323/https://ua.interfax.com.ua/news/general/803678.html|url-status=live}} The same day, Russian troops advanced from Kherson towards Mykolaiv, reaching the city's outskirts and launching an assault at 11:00.{{Cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/28/ukraine-reports-dozens-killed-in-kharkiv-rocket-strikes |title=Several killed as Russian rockets pound Ukraine's Kharkiv |access-date=3 March 2022 |publisher=Al Jazeera |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228220554/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/28/ukraine-reports-dozens-killed-in-kharkiv-rocket-strikes |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-28-2022|title=RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, FEBRUARY 28, 2022|date=28 February 2022|publisher=Institute for the Study of War|access-date=3 March 2022|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302030758/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-28-2022|url-status=live}}

File:Russian tank trapped after Ukrainians demolished a bridge.jpg tank trapped on a bridge demolished by the Ukrainians in Kalynivka, Mykolaiv Oblast, 2 March]]

Russian forces also shelled Bashtanka and Mykolaiv on 1 March. Ukrainian officials later claimed that a large Russian convoy was attacked and defeated by Ukrainian forces during the night near Bashtanka, forcing the Russians to retreat towards the neighboring city of Novyi Buh. They claimed that "several dozen [Russian] armored vehicles" were destroyed in the attack.{{Cite web |title=Окупанти обстріляли Градами місто під Миколаєвом |url=https://ua.korrespondent.net/ukraine/4453134-okupanty-obstrilialy-hradamy-misto-pid-mykolaievom |access-date=2 March 2022 |author=Lyudmila Sadlovska |work=Korrespondent |language=uk |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303232552/https://ua.korrespondent.net/ukraine/4453134-okupanty-obstrilialy-hradamy-misto-pid-mykolaievom |url-status=live}} Kim stated that during the operation, a Ukrainian helicopter was destroyed, but its pilots survived.{{Cite web |title=Enemy column destroyed in Mykolaiv Region consisted of 800 vehicles |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3417480-enemy-column-destroyed-in-mykolaiv-region-consisted-of-800-vehicles.html |access-date=2 March 2022 |agency=Ukrinform |language=en |archive-date=1 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301233428/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3417480-enemy-column-destroyed-in-mykolaiv-region-consisted-of-800-vehicles.html |url-status=live}}

The next day, Russian forces bombarded Voznesensk, which has a bridge that can be used to cross the Southern Bug instead of the one near Mykolaiv, during the morning. Russian paratroopers then landed at a forested ridge near the town, and an armored column approached it. Forces from the 126th Coastal Defence Brigade were attacked while trying to reach them.

The Russian troops, estimated to be 400 by Ukrainian officials, then captured the village of Rakove, whose houses it used to create a sniper nest. Afterwards, they set up a base at a gas station near the town's entrance and assaulted the base of the Territorial Defense Forces. Ukrainian forces struck back with artillery that night with the help of local volunteers who gave them coordinates. Local volunteers and Ukrainian soldiers were able to repel Russian troops from Voznesensk the next day, forcing most of them to retreat {{convert|40|mi|km}} to the east and others to flee into nearby forests, where ten of them were later captured. Ukrainian officials stated that Russian forces had lost 30 vehicles in the battle, in addition to around 100 soldiers. Ten civilians were killed in the fighting.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-russia-voznesensk-town-battle-11647444734|title=A Ukrainian Town Deals Russia One of the War's Most Decisive Routs|author=Yaroslav Trofimov|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=16 March 2022|accessdate=17 March 2022|archive-date=17 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317180351/https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-russia-voznesensk-town-battle-11647444734|url-status=live}}

In the early morning of 1 March, Russian forces began assaulting Kherson from the west, advancing from Kherson International Airport towards the highway to Mykolaiv. They were able to surround the city and reached the neighboring settlement of Komyshany.{{Cite news |title=Шостий день вторгнення РФ: ситуація на Херсонщині. текстова трансляція |url=https://suspilne.media/212445-persij-den-vesni-herson-ak-i-ranise-ukraina-hersonskij-miskij-golova/ |date=1 March 2022 |access-date=1 March 2022 |author=Tamila Ivanova |newspaper=Суспільне | Новини |publisher=Suspilne |language=uk |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302054049/https://suspilne.media/212445-persij-den-vesni-herson-ak-i-ranise-ukraina-hersonskij-miskij-golova/ |url-status=live}} Later in the day, Russian forces entered Kherson.{{Cite news |date=1 March 2022 |title=Russian forces have entered Kherson, says Ukrainian official |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-forces-have-entered-kherson-says-ukrainian-official-2022-03-01/ |access-date=2 March 2022 |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302054048/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-forces-have-entered-kherson-says-ukrainian-official-2022-03-01/ |url-status=live}}

In the early morning of 2 March, Russian forces seized parts of Kherson, including the city's central square.{{Cite web |date=1 March 2022 |title=Russian military vehicles seen across Kherson after heavy shelling |url=https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-01-22/h_23c8bf2dfbe3ed6309a43d6864bb2bd2 |access-date=3 March 2022 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302133036/https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-01-22/h_23c8bf2dfbe3ed6309a43d6864bb2bd2 |url-status=live}} Later that evening, Kolykhaiev announced that he had surrendered the city to Russian forces, and that the Russian commander planned to set up a military administration in the city.{{Cite news |last1=Schwirtz |first1=Michael |last2=Pérez-Peña |first2=Richard |date=2 March 2022 |title=First Ukraine City Falls as Russia Strikes More Civilian Targets |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/world/europe/kherson-ukraine-russia.html |access-date=3 March 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303000108/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/world/europe/kherson-ukraine-russia.html |url-status=live}} Kherson became the first major Ukrainian city to fall to Russian forces in the invasion.{{cite news |last1=Schwirtz |first1=Michael |last2=Pérez-Peña |first2=Richard |date=2 March 2022 |title=First Ukraine City Falls as Russia Strikes More Civilian Targets |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/world/europe/kherson-ukraine-russia.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303000108/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/world/europe/kherson-ukraine-russia.html |archive-date=3 March 2022}}

On 2 March, Kim announced that Ukrainian forces carried out strikes on Chornobaivka and in the Yelanets area, and that a Russian column left Snihurivka.{{cite web|title=Сьомий день вторгнення Росії. На Миколаївщині відбулася наступальна операція

|lang=uk|access-date=2024-03-09|date=2022-03-02|website=Suspilne|author=Дар'я Свистуха|url=https://suspilne.media/212833-somij-den-vtorgnenna-rosii-na-mikolaivsini-vidbulasa-nastupalna-operacia/}}

File:Russian Army weapons destroyed by Ukrainian troops.png, 3 March 2022]]

Russian troops attacked Mykolaiv on 4 March. Local officials stated that Russian forces had captured some of the outskirts of the city. Ukrainian forces repelled the attack, recapturing Mykolaiv International Airport.{{cite news |title=Ukrainian defenders repelled attack on Mykolaiv city, fighting continues on outskirts |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3420336-ukrainian-defenders-repelled-attack-on-mykolaiv-city-fighting-continues-on-outskirts.html |access-date=4 March 2022 |agency=Ukrinform |date=4 March 2022 |archive-date=4 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304220004/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3420336-ukrainian-defenders-repelled-attack-on-mykolaiv-city-fighting-continues-on-outskirts.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=In a surrounded Ukrainian city, residents vow to fight to the end |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/in-a-surrounded-ukrainian-city-residents-vow-to-fight-to-the-end/ |author=Michael Schwirtz |access-date=6 March 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=4 March 2022 |archive-date=5 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305095402/https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/in-a-surrounded-ukrainian-city-residents-vow-to-fight-to-the-end/ |url-status=live }}

On 8 March, the Ukrainian Air Force struck the military airbase at Kherson International Airport during the day, with Ukrainian officials claiming that more than 30 Russian helicopters were destroyed. Satellite imagery however showed that the number was fewer.{{cite news |title=Ukraine Strikes Back: Barrage Leaves Russian-Occupied Kherson Airbase In Flames |work=The Drive |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/44780/ukraine-strikes-back-barrage-leaves-russian-occupied-kherson-airbase-in-flames |author1=Joseph Trevithick |author2=Tyler Rogoway |date=15 March 2022 |access-date=16 March 2022 |archive-date=16 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316012448/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/44780/ukraine-strikes-back-barrage-leaves-russian-occupied-kherson-airbase-in-flames |url-status=live}}

On 9 March, Russian troops entered the town of Skadovsk. According to local residents they entered at 08:45 and stationed themselves in the central square before being driven away by protesters. They then took over a building of the National Police of Ukraine in addition to vandalizing the city council building. The mayor Oleksandr Yakovlev stated that they took away computers from the city council building and had ordered that no political rallies be held.{{cite news|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/9/7329748/|title=У Скадовськ зайшли військові РФ, із міськради винесли комп'ютери|author=Olena Roshchina|work=Ukrayinska Pravda|date=March 9, 2022|accessdate=March 10, 2022|language=Ukrainian|archive-date=10 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310023735/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/9/7329748/|url-status=live}}

The next day, the Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russia deployed a battalion of the Baltic Fleet's 336th Naval Infantry Brigade toward Mykolaiv. The Institute for the Study of War opined that "Russian forces are likely experiencing difficulty advancing northwest beyond the Inhul River."{{cite news |last1=Clark |first1=Mason |title=Russia Offensive Campaign Assessment – March 10 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-10 |access-date=12 March 2022 |work=10 March 2022 |publisher=Institute for the Study of War |archive-date=11 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311234811/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-10 |url-status=live}} Heavy shelling hit Mykolaiv during the evening, causing several fires, and Vitaliy Kim reported "active hostilities" near {{ill|Hur'ivka|uk|Гур'ївка}} north of the city.{{cite news |last1=Lister |first1=Tim |title=Heavy Russian shelling has erupted in the southern city of Mykolaiv |url=https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-11-22/h_24b3ab21adb95663aae6adf31d8940e7 |access-date=12 March 2022 |publisher=CNN |date=11 March 2022 |archive-date=12 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312050334/https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-11-22/h_24b3ab21adb95663aae6adf31d8940e7 |url-status=live}}

File:Vehicles burned in Mykolaiv by Russian attacks.jpg

{{see also|Capture of Melitopol|Battle of Enerhodar}}

Russian columns advancing from Crimea moved towards Melitopol, which surrendered to Russian forces after a small skirmish on 25 February.{{Cite web|title=Ukraine's Zelenskyy says he is Russia's 'number one target' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/25/ukraine-president-vows-to-stay-put-russian-troops-approach-kyiv|access-date=25 February 2022|publisher=Al Jazeera |language=en|archive-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225064824/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/25/ukraine-president-vows-to-stay-put-russian-troops-approach-kyiv|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=24 February 2022|title=Russia Ukraine news Live: Melitopol city is taken by the Russian army|url=https://www.marca.com/en/lifestyle/world-news/2022/02/24/6216fca2ca4741a0458b4599.html|access-date=25 February 2022|website=MARCA|language=en|archive-date=24 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224164052/https://www.marca.com/en/lifestyle/world-news/2022/02/24/6216fca2ca4741a0458b4599.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=В Мелитополе опять идут бои – взрывы и стрельба в разных районах города|url=https://www.mv.org.ua/news/263941-v_melitopole_opjat_idut_boi_-_vzryvy_i_strelba_v_raznyh_raionah_goroda.html|access-date=2 March 2022|website=Актуальные новости Мелитополя и региона – Местные вести|language=ru|archive-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225154454/https://www.mv.org.ua/news/263941-v_melitopole_opjat_idut_boi_-_vzryvy_i_strelba_v_raznyh_raionah_goroda.html|url-status=live}}

Russian forces captured the coastal city of Prymorsk by 13:40 on 26 February.{{cite web |author1=Denis Astafyev |author2=Vasilina Gavyak |author3=Anastasia Ilieva |date=28 February 2022 |title=Вторгнення в Україну російських військ: ситуація в Запорізькій області |url=https://suspilne.media/210108-vtorgnenna-v-ukrainu-situacia-v-zaporizkij-oblasti/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228043020/https://suspilne.media/210108-vtorgnenna-v-ukrainu-situacia-v-zaporizkij-oblasti/ |archive-date=28 February 2022 |publisher=Suspilne |language=Ukrainian |accessdate=28 February 2022}} Russian forces were also able to enter and capture Berdiansk, west of Mariupol,{{Cite web |title=Российская военная техника заняла территорию бывшего аэропорта "Бердянск" – горсовет |url=https://www.unian.net/war/rossiyskaya-voennaya-tehnika-zanyala-territoriyu-byvshego-aeroporta-berdyansk-gorsovet-novosti-donbassa-11719648.html |access-date=26 February 2022 |agency=UNIAN |language=ru |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226195413/https://www.unian.net/war/rossiyskaya-voennaya-tehnika-zanyala-territoriyu-byvshego-aeroporta-berdyansk-gorsovet-novosti-donbassa-11719648.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/24/europe/ukraine-russian-warship-berdyansk-intl/index.html |title=Ukrainians claim to have destroyed large Russian warship in Berdyansk |first1=Tim |last1=Lister |first2=Celine |last2=Alkhaldi |first3=Olga |last3=Voitovych |first4=Gianluca |last4=Mezzofiore |publisher=CNN |date=24 March 2022 |access-date=24 March 2022 |archive-date=26 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326201350/https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/24/europe/ukraine-russian-warship-berdyansk-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Ukraine crisis: Russian forces enter Sea of Azov port Berdiansk – report |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-698823 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228023426/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-698823 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |access-date=27 February 2022 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |date=27 February 2022 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |author=Yulia Zakharchenko |date=28 February 2022 |title=Бердянськ захопили бойовики, у Харкові та Сумах – тиша: Арестович про ситуацію в Україні |url=https://fakty.com.ua/ua/ukraine/suspilstvo/20220228-melitopol-zahopyly-bojovyky-u-harkovi-ta-sumah-tysha-arestovych-pro-sytuacziyu-v-ukrayini/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228033140/https://fakty.com.ua/ua/ukraine/suspilstvo/20220228-melitopol-zahopyly-bojovyky-u-harkovi-ta-sumah-tysha-arestovych-pro-sytuacziyu-v-ukrayini/ |archive-date=28 February 2022 |work=Fakty i Kommentarii |accessdate=28 February 2022}} capturing its port and the Berdiansk Airport.{{cite web |last1=Шагабудтдинова |first1=Эльмира |title=Власти Бердянска заявляют о том, что вражеская техника заняла территорию бывшего аэропорта |url=https://www.061.ua/news/3338842/vlasti-berdanska-zaavlaut-o-tom-cto-vrazeskaa-tehnika-zanala-territoriu-byvsego-aeroporta |website=061.ua – Сайт города Запорожья |access-date=28 February 2022 |language=ru |url-status=live |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228005332/https://www.061.ua/news/3338842/vlasti-berdanska-zaavlaut-o-tom-cto-vrazeskaa-tehnika-zanala-territoriu-byvsego-aeroporta }}{{cite web |title=Military vehicles of Russian Federation occupy territory of former Berdiansk airport |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/802754.html |website=Interfax-Ukraine |access-date=28 February 2022 |language=en |url-status=live |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226180713/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/802754.html }} During the takeover, local authorities reported that one person was killed and another was wounded.{{cite web |title=Russian troops take control of Berdiansk district – regional administration |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3415518-russian-troops-take-control-of-berdiansk-district-regional-administration.html |website=www.ukrinform.net |publisher=Ukrinform |access-date=28 February 2022 |language=en |date=28 February 2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302054120/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3415518-russian-troops-take-control-of-berdiansk-district-regional-administration.html }}{{cite web |title=Berdiansk temporarily occupied by Russian invaders – Zaporizhia Oblast Administration |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/02/28/7326715/ |website=Ukrayinska Pravda |access-date=28 February 2022 |language=en |date=28 February 2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228071827/https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/02/28/7326715/}} On 28 February, mayor Oleksandr Svidlo said that Russian forces had left Berdiansk, leaving a Russian military police detachment in the city.{{cite web |title=В оккупированном Бердянске горожане прогнали технику РФ и оставили украинские флаги |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2022/02/28/7326885/ |website=Украинская правда |access-date=28 February 2022 |language=ru |date=28 February 2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228182920/https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2022/02/28/7326885/}}

On 27 February, Russian forces took control of the villages of {{ill|Skelky|uk|Скельки (Василівський район)}}, {{ill|Shevchenka|uk|Шевченка (Василівський район)}}, and {{ill|Pershotravneve, Zaporizhzhia Oblast|lt=Pershotravneve|uk|Першотравневе (Василівська міська громада)}} near Vasylivka.{{cite web|url=https://decentralization.ua/en/news/17196|title=«Український прапор над міською радою провисів в окупації 53 дні». Інтерв’ю міського голови Василівки|website=Децентралізація|language=uk|access-date=11 February 2025|date=19 September 2023|first=Дмитро|last=Синяк}}

Russian forces tried to enter Dniprorudne on the same day, but were forced to turn back after being confronted by protesting locals.{{cite web|url=https://www.mopo.de/news/politik-wirtschaft/im-video-unbewaffnete-ukrainer-stellen-sich-russen-panzern-entgegen/|title=Im Video: Unbewaffnete Ukrainer stellen sich Russen-Panzern entgegen|work=Hamburger Morgenpost|date=February 28, 2022|accessdate=March 8, 2022|language=Spanish|archive-date=8 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308151317/https://www.mopo.de/news/politik-wirtschaft/im-video-unbewaffnete-ukrainer-stellen-sich-russen-panzern-entgegen/|url-status=live}} Vasylivka was held by a force consisting of Ukraine's 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, territorial defense forces, and some marines, until they retreated on 2 March. Nearly encircled, Ukrainian forces withdrew on foot, abandoning their vehicles in Vasylivka, and took up positions in the village of {{ill|Mali Shcherbaky|uk|Малі Щербаки}}.{{cite web|language=uk|access-date=27 March 2025|url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/oborona-pivdnia-zsu/32284572.html|first=Олексій|last=Виноградов|date=23 February 2023|website=Radio Svoboda|title=«Захищати Херсон готові були тисячі: не було чим.» Як оборняли Південь у лютому 2022-го.}} The next day, Russian forces began shelling Mali Shcherbaky and {{ill|Shcherbaky|uk|Щербаки}}, but never managed to take the villages, despite the heavy bombardment.{{cite web|url=https://akzent.zp.ua/dva-roki-okupatsiyi-zaporizkoyi-oblasti-yak-tochilisya-boyi-za-najbilshi-mista-foto-video/|access-date=27 March 2025|title=Два роки окупації Запорізької області: як точилися бої за найбільші міста|date=9 March 2024|website=Акцент.zp.ua|language=uk|first1=Ігор|last1=Гур'єв|first2=Олександр|last2=Чубукін}}

Elsewhere, according to Ukrainian media reports, Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups stole Ukrainian military uniforms from a military depot and engaged Ukrainian forces in Tokmak, northeast of Melitopol.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-28 |title=У Токмаку йшли бої з окупантами у військовій формі ЗСУ |url=https://tsn.ua/ukrayina/u-tokmaku-yshli-boyi-z-okupantami-u-viyskoviy-formi-zsu-1991626.html |access-date=2022-03-11 |website=ТСН.ua |language=uk |archive-date=2022-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311172856/https://tsn.ua/ukrayina/u-tokmaku-yshli-boyi-z-okupantami-u-viyskoviy-formi-zsu-1991626.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=В Токмаке ночью велись ожесточенные бои |url=https://www.ukrinform.ru/rubric-ato/3415499-v-tokmake-nocu-velis-ozestocennye-boi.html |access-date=2022-03-11 |website=www.ukrinform.ru |language=ru |archive-date=2022-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311172829/https://www.ukrinform.ru/rubric-ato/3415499-v-tokmake-nocu-velis-ozestocennye-boi.html |url-status=usurped }}{{Cite web |last=Gazeta.ua |date=2022-02-28 |title=У місті Токмак йшли потужні бої з диверсантами в українській військовій формі |url=https://gazeta.ua/articles/np/_u-misti-tokmak-jshli-potuzhni-boyi-z-diversantami-v-ukrayinskij-vijskovij-formi/1073128 |access-date=2022-03-11 |website=Gazeta.ua |language=uk |archive-date=2022-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228100649/https://gazeta.ua/articles/np/_u-misti-tokmak-jshli-potuzhni-boyi-z-diversantami-v-ukrayinskij-vijskovij-formi/1073128 |url-status=live }} According to Ukrainian authorities, the Russians were identified because they wore bulletproof vests that were used by the Russian army, and not the Ukrainian vests.{{Cite web |last=Жигайло |first=Андрій |date=2022-02-28 |title=У Токмаку ЗСУ відбили атаку диверсантів в українській формі: подробиці |url=https://news.obozrevatel.com/ukr/society/u-tokmaku-zsu-vidbili-ataku-diversantiv-v-ukrainskij-formi-podrobitsi.htm |access-date=2022-03-11 |website=OBOZREVATEL NEWS |language=uk |archive-date=2022-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311175205/https://news.obozrevatel.com/ukr/society/u-tokmaku-zsu-vidbili-ataku-diversantiv-v-ukrainskij-formi-podrobitsi.htm |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Цензор.НЕТ |title=Вночі у місті Токмак точилися потужні бої. ЗСУ бореться з диверсантами в українській формі, але з російськими бронежилетами |url=https://censor.net/ua/news/3319972/vnochi_u_misti_tokmak_tochylysya_potujni_boyi_zsu_boretsya_z_dyversantamy_v_ukrayinskiyi_formi_ale_z |access-date=2022-03-11 |website=Цензор.НЕТ |date=28 February 2022 |language=uk |archive-date=2022-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310173955/https://censor.net/ua/news/3319972/vnochi_u_misti_tokmak_tochylysya_potujni_boyi_zsu_boretsya_z_dyversantamy_v_ukrayinskiyi_formi_ale_z |url-status=live }} Ukraine claimed Russian forces suffered many casualties and retreated to the southern outskirts of the town.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-28 |title=В Токмаке войска оккупантов понесли большие потери |url=http://iz.com.ua/zaporoje/v-tokmake-voyska-okkupantov-ponesli-bolshie-poteri |access-date=2022-03-11 |website=Індустріалка – новини Запоріжжя |archive-date=2022-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228071926/http://iz.com.ua/zaporoje/v-tokmake-voyska-okkupantov-ponesli-bolshie-poteri |url-status=live }}

Russian forces advancing from Tokmak entered Polohy on 3 March after clashing with a Ukrainian territorial defense group.{{cite news |date=17 May 2022 |title=Under the Russian boot: how citizens of Polohy live through hell of occupation |url=https://uacrisis.org/en/yak-pologivtsi-en |work=Ukraine Crisis Media Center |access-date=9 July 2022|first=Nastia|last=Lisovska}} Russian forces briefly entered Huliaipole on 5 March, but were pushed back.{{cite news |last1=Gibbons-Neff |first1=Thomas |last2=Yermak |first2=Natalia |date=30 March 2022 |title='Like Living in a Horror Movie': A Ukraine Town Dying a Slow Death |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/30/world/europe/ukraine-front-lines-russia-war.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=31 March 2022 |archive-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331080336/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/30/world/europe/ukraine-front-lines-russia-war.html |url-status=live }} The city was later attacked overnight amid shelling and airstrikes.{{cite news|url=http://1news.zp.ua/v-zaporozhskoj-oblasti-prodolzhayutsya-boi-okkupanty-bombyat-gulyajpole-i-ego-okrestnosti/|title=У Запорізькій області тривають бої: окупанти бомблять Гуляйполе та його околиці|date=6 March 2022|accessdate=13 March 2022|work=1news|language=Ukrainian|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306162151/http://1news.zp.ua/v-zaporozhskoj-oblasti-prodolzhayutsya-boi-okkupanty-bombyat-gulyajpole-i-ego-okrestnosti/|url-status=live}}

The Russian 22nd Army Corps approached the city of Enerhodar on 26 February.{{cite news |date=26 February 2022 |title=Ukraine official says Russian troops approaching Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant |work=National Post |url=https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/ukraine-official-says-russian-troops-approaching-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant |access-date=28 February 2022}}{{cite web |date=28 February 2022 |title=The Russians paused the invasion, but aren't losing |url=https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/the-russians-have-paused-the-invasion-but-aren-t-losing-20220228-p5a09f |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228023541/https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/the-russians-have-paused-the-invasion-but-aren-t-losing-20220228-p5a09f |archive-date=28 February 2022 |access-date=28 February 2022 |website=Australian Financial Review}} A Ukrainian official stated that the Russians were deploying Grad missiles and warned of an attack on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which is located in the city.

{{cite news

|url=https://www.polsatnews.pl/wiadomosc/2022-02-26/wojna-na-ukrainie-rosjanie-blisko-elektrowni-atomowej-jest-ryzyko-ze-zostanie-ostrzelana/|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220227/https://www.polsatnews.pl/wiadomosc/2022-02-26/wojna-na-ukrainie-rosjanie-blisko-elektrowni-atomowej-jest-ryzyko-ze-zostanie-ostrzelana/

|archive-date=27 February 2022

|title=Wojna na Ukrainie. Rosjanie blisko elektrowni atomowej. Jest ryzyko, że zostanie ostrzelana

|language=pl

|trans-title=The war in Ukraine. Russians close to the nuclear power plant. There is a risk that it will be shot at

|publisher=Polsat News

|date=26 February 2022|access-date=26 February 2022}}{{cbignore}} The Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration later stated that the Russian forces advancing on Enerhodar had returned to Velyka Bilozerka, a village {{convert|30|km|mi}} from the city.{{cite web|url=https://nikopol.nikopolnews.net/ru/favorite/oficialno-o-situacii-v-energodare-27-fevralya/|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220227/https://nikopol.nikopolnews.net/ru/favorite/oficialno-o-situacii-v-energodare-27-fevralya/|archive-date=27 February 2022|title=Официально о ситуации в Энергодаре 27 февраля|author=Ekaterina Andrus|work=Nikopol News|language=Russian|date=27 February 2022|accessdate=27 February 2022}}{{cbignore}} On 28 February, Russian troops began a siege at Enerhodar in an attempt to take control of the nuclear power plant.{{cite news |date=4 March 2022 |title=Ukraine nuclear plant on fire after Russia shelling |newspaper=News.com.au |url=https://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/ukraine-pounded-and-exodus-mounts-as-russia-seizes-key-city/news-story/4c2bd269029008ba09ab2cab3a5a32b7 |access-date=4 March 2022 |archive-date=4 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304103303/https://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/ukraine-pounded-and-exodus-mounts-as-russia-seizes-key-city/news-story/4c2bd269029008ba09ab2cab3a5a32b7 |url-status=live }} On the same day, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that Russian forces had captured the city and surrounded the power plant, but this was denied by mayor Dmitri Orlov.{{cite news |title=Енергодар і Запорізька АЕС під контролем ЗСУ: мер міста просить не вірити фейкам |url=https://fakty.com.ua/ua/ukraine/20220228-energodar-i-zaporizka-aes-pid-kontrolem-zsu-mer-mista-prosyt-ne-viryty-fejkam/ |author=Valentina Letyak |work=Fakty i Kommentarii |date=28 February 2022 |accessdate=28 February 2022 |language=Ukrainian |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228171301/https://fakty.com.ua/ua/ukraine/20220228-energodar-i-zaporizka-aes-pid-kontrolem-zsu-mer-mista-prosyt-ne-viryty-fejkam/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Russian forces seize two cities in Ukraine, Interfax says, with ceasefire talks about to begin |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russias-isolation-deepens-ukraine-resists-invasion-2022-02-28/ |work=Reuters |date=28 February 2022 |accessdate=28 February 2022 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228043146/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russias-isolation-deepens-ukraine-resists-invasion-2022-02-28/ |url-status=live}} A video later emerged showing local civilians preventing a Russian convoy from entering Enerhodar by barricading the entrance, forcing them to leave.{{cite news |title=Жители Энергодара без оружия остановили колонну российских оккупантов, – ВИДЕО |url=http://1news.zp.ua/ru/zhiteli-energodara-bez-oruzhiya-ostanovili-kolonnu-rossijskih-okkupantov-video/ |author=Julia |work=First Zaprohziya |date=28 February 2022 |accessdate=1 March 2022 |language=Russian |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302055801/http://1news.zp.ua/ru/zhiteli-energodara-bez-oruzhiya-ostanovili-kolonnu-rossijskih-okkupantov-video/ |url-status=live}}

Ukrainian officials stated that Russian forces had surrounded Enerhodar on 1 March, with a Russian convoy advancing into the city around 14:00. According to the mayor, the city had difficulties obtaining food.{{Cite web |date=1 March 2022 |website=061.ua |access-date=1 March 2022 |language=Ukrainian |title=Рада оборони Енергодара перейшла на цілодобовий режим роботи, місто в оточенні |trans-title=The Energodar Defense Council has switched to round-the-clock operation, the city is surrounded |url=https://www.061.ua/news/3340996/rada-oboroni-energodara-perejsla-na-cilodobovij-rezim-roboti-misto-v-otocenni |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302102729/https://www.061.ua/news/3340996/rada-oboroni-energodara-perejsla-na-cilodobovij-rezim-roboti-misto-v-otocenni |url-status=live}}

On 3 March, Orlov stated that a large Russian convoy had entered Enerhodar.{{cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/3/russians-advance-towards-ukraines-largest-nuclear-power-plant |title=Russians advance towards Ukraine's largest nuclear power plant |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=3 March 2022 |accessdate=4 March 2022 |archive-date=6 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306142119/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/3/russians-advance-towards-ukraines-largest-nuclear-power-plant |url-status=live}} Later, Russian forces took control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. During the heavy fighting a fire broke out in a training facility outside of the main complex, which was quickly extinguished,[https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/2022-03/HRMMU_Update_2022-03-26_EN.pdf Update on the human rights situation in Ukraine (Reporting period: 24 February – 26 March)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401192931/https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/2022-03/HRMMU_Update_2022-03-26_EN.pdf |date=1 April 2022 }} United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine though other sections surrounding the plant sustained damage.{{cite news |title=Video analysis reveals Russian attack on Ukrainian nuclear plant veered near disaster |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/03/11/1085427380/ukraine-nuclear-power-plant-zaporizhzhia |access-date=1 April 2022 |publisher=NPR |date=11 March 2022 |archive-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401111417/https://www.npr.org/2022/03/11/1085427380/ukraine-nuclear-power-plant-zaporizhzhia |url-status=live }} Initial reports said that the radiation levels remained normal during this time and the fire did not damage essential equipment.{{Cite news |date=3 March 2022 |title=Live updates: Russian troops shelling nuclear power station |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-live-updates-cbd6eed3e1b8f4946f5f490afd06b4be |access-date=4 March 2022 |work=Associated Press |language=en |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303234454/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-live-updates-cbd6eed3e1b8f4946f5f490afd06b4be |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=Fire breaks out at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant amid shelling |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/fire-breaks-out-at-ukraines-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-power-plant-amid-shelling/ar-AAUAmzP |access-date=4 March 2022 |newspaper=MSN |language=en-US |archive-date=4 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304103344/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/fire-breaks-out-at-ukraines-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-power-plant-amid-shelling/ar-AAUAmzP |url-status=live}} However, firefighters were unable to reach the fire due to the fighting.{{cite news |author=Tim Stelloh |date=3 March 2022 |title=Nuclear plant on fire in Ukraine after Russia attacks facility |publisher=NBC |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russian-troops-are-firing-europes-largest-nuclear-power-plant-ukrainia-rcna18668 |url-status=live |access-date=4 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304015640/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russian-troops-are-firing-europes-largest-nuclear-power-plant-ukrainia-rcna18668 |archive-date=4 March 2022}}

Clashes at the power plant on 4 March caused a fire to break out.{{cite web |date=3 March 2022 |title=Russian forces attacking Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, per multiple reports |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-forces-attacking-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-power-plant-ukraine-ap-2022-3 |access-date=4 March 2022 |website=Business Insider Australia |archive-date=4 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304042146/https://www.businessinsider.com.au/russian-forces-attacking-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-power-plant-ukraine-ap-2022-3 |url-status=live }} The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) subsequently said that essential equipment was undamaged.{{cite news |date=3 March 2022 |title=Russian forces strike Ukraine from multiple fronts, including at power plant |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-04/latest-on-where-fighting-is-happening-in-ukraine/100881052 |access-date=4 March 2022 |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303232755/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-04/latest-on-where-fighting-is-happening-in-ukraine/100881052 |url-status=live }} By 4 March, the nuclear power plant fell under Russian control. Despite the fires, the power plant recorded no radiation leaks.{{cite news |date=4 March 2022 |title=Russian troops take Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant |work=ABC News |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/russia-attacks-ukraine-nuclear-plant-invasion-advances-83245801 |access-date=4 March 2022 |archive-date=6 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306021907/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/russia-attacks-ukraine-nuclear-plant-invasion-advances-83245801 |url-status=live }}

The next morning, after confirming that there were no changes to radiation levels, Russian forces captured Enerhodar and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.{{cite news |last=Boynton |first=Sean |title=Russian troops capture Europe's largest power plant in Ukraine after intense battle |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8658032/ukraine-russia-nuclear-plant-fire/ |publisher=Global News |date=4 March 2022 |access-date=6 March 2022 |archive-date=5 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305120527/https://globalnews.ca/news/8658032/ukraine-russia-nuclear-plant-fire/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Russia Seizes Ukraine Nuclear Plant Hours After Attack: 10 Points |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/russia-ukraine-war-vladimir-putin-biden-latest-developments-updates-on-kyiv-kharkiv-russian-invasion-2802607 |access-date=2022-03-04 |publisher=NDTV |archive-date=6 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306185042/https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/russia-ukraine-war-vladimir-putin-biden-latest-developments-updates-on-kyiv-kharkiv-russian-invasion-2802607 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://lb.ua/society/2022/03/04/507972_energodar_okupanti_znovu_zayshli.html|title=Енергодар: окупанти знову зайшли в місто|author=Vira Kasiyan|work=Lb.ua|date=March 4, 2022|accessdate=March 4, 2022|language=Ukrainian|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306142034/https://lb.ua/society/2022/03/04/507972_energodar_okupanti_znovu_zayshli.html|url-status=live}} On 5 March, Orlov stated that Russian forces controlled the perimeter of Enerhodar and the power plant, while the local authorities were allowed to remain in control in the operation of the city.{{cite news|url=https://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/regions/_rossijskie-vojska-pokinuli-energodar-posledstviya-obstrelov-utochneno/1074035|title=Российские войска покинули Энергодар: последствия обстрелов (уточнено)|date=March 5, 2022|accessdate=March 6, 2022|work=Gazeta.ua|language=Russian|archive-date=13 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313114755/https://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/regions/_rossijskie-vojska-pokinuli-energodar-posledstviya-obstrelov-utochneno/1074035|url-status=live}}

{{main article|Siege of Mariupol}}

On the morning of 25 February, Russian units from the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) advanced towards Mariupol and were defeated by Ukrainian forces near the village of Pavlopil.{{cite web |title=Fierce battles raging in all directions near Mariupol – mayor |url=https://ua.interfax.com.ua/news/general/801883.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226011040/https://ua.interfax.com.ua/news/general/801883.html |archive-date=26 February 2022 |access-date=25 February 2022 |website=Interfax-Ukraine}}{{cite web |last=Richárd |first=Jabronka |date=25 February 2022 |title=Így áll most a háború Ukrajnában: több nagyvárosban harcok dúlnak, megtámadtak egy orosz repülőteret |trans-title=This is how the war in Ukraine is now: fighting is raging in several big cities, a Russian airport has been attacked |url=https://ellenszel.hu/2022/02/25/igy-all-most-a-haboru-ukrajnaban-tobb-nagyvarosban-harcok-dulnak-megtamadtak-egy-orosz-repuloteret/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226011052/https://ellenszel.hu/2022/02/25/igy-all-most-a-haboru-ukrajnaban-tobb-nagyvarosban-harcok-dulnak-megtamadtak-egy-orosz-repuloteret/ |archive-date=26 February 2022 |access-date=25 February 2022 |website=Ellenszél |language=hu}}{{cite news |title=Battle ongoing near Mariupol – mayor |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3412585-battle-ongoing-near-mariupol-mayor.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225110919/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3412585-battle-ongoing-near-mariupol-mayor.html |archive-date=25 February 2022 |access-date=25 February 2022 |agency=Ukrinform}} By evening, the Russian Navy reportedly began an amphibious assault on the coast of the Sea of Azov {{convert|70|km|mi}} west of Mariupol. A US defence official said that Russian forces might be deploying thousands of marines from this beachhead.{{cite news |date=25 February 2022 |title="Amphibious assault" underway west of Mariupol on the Sea of Azov, senior US defense official says |url=https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-25-22/h_622a8b21dd1cf52845090a96c9c6513b |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225220827/https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-25-22/h_622a8b21dd1cf52845090a96c9c6513b |archive-date=25 February 2022 |access-date=25 February 2022 |publisher=CNN}}{{cite web |title=Russian Navy Carries Out Amphibious Assault Near Mariupol |url=https://maritime-executive.com/article/russian-navy-carries-out-amphibious-assault-near-mariupol |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225220846/https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/russian-navy-carries-out-amphibious-assault-near-mariupol |archive-date=25 February 2022 |access-date=25 February 2022 |website=The Maritime Executive}}{{cite web |date=27 February 2022 |title=Russian forces are about 31 miles outside southeastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol, US defense official says |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-27-22/h_32a28d1a9ec40e68486a3526f035dc6f |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227223234/https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-27-22/h_32a28d1a9ec40e68486a3526f035dc6f |archive-date=27 February 2022 |access-date=27 February 2022 |publisher=CNN}}

File:Наслідки обстрілу дитячої лікарні та пологового будинку в Маріуполі, 9 березня 2022 року.jpg

File:Destruction of Russian tanks by Ukrainian troops in Mariupol (4).jpg near Mariupol, 7 March 2022]] By 3 March, amid heavy combat in Mariupol, Ukrainian officials alleged that hundreds of civilians had already been killed in the city.{{Cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/3/russians-lay-siege-to-mariupol-as-conflict-intensifies |publisher=Al Jazeera |title=Russian forces lay siege to Ukrainian port city of Mariupol |access-date=3 March 2022 |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303232509/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/3/russians-lay-siege-to-mariupol-as-conflict-intensifies |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2022-03-03/hundreds-feared-dead-ukraine-port-city-mariupol |title=Russian forces strike, seize a nuclear plant as they pound southern Ukraine |website=Los Angeles Times |date=3 March 2022 |access-date=3 March 2022 |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303232511/https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2022-03-03/hundreds-feared-dead-ukraine-port-city-mariupol |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world-report/articles/2022-03-03/russian-ukrainian-officials-meet-for-peace-talks-as-war-rages |title=Russian, Ukrainian Officials Meet for Peace Talks as War Rages |work=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=3 March 2022 |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303232600/https://www.usnews.com/news/world-report/articles/2022-03-03/russian-ukrainian-officials-meet-for-peace-talks-as-war-rages |url-status=live}}

On 15 March, the Russian Defense Ministry stated that Russian forces had captured all of Kherson Oblast.{{cite news |title=Russian forces take control of Ukraine's Kherson region: Agencies |agency=Reuters |via=Al Arabiya |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2022/03/15/Russian-forces-take-control-of-Ukraine-s-Kherson-region-Agencies |date=15 March 2022 |access-date=15 March 2022 |archive-date=15 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315082100/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2022/03/15/Russian-forces-take-control-of-Ukraine-s-Kherson-region-Agencies |url-status=live}}

On 11 March, Governor Kim stated that Ukrainian forces had pushed Russian troops eastwards by {{convert|15|-|20|km|mi}} and had also surrounded some units who were negotiating for a surrender.{{Cite news |date=2022-03-12 |title=Battle for Mykolaiv: 'We are winning this fight, but not this war' |author=Andrew Harding |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60711659 |access-date=2022-03-12 |archive-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314042754/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60711659 |url-status=live}} On 16 March, the Ukrainian government said that its forces had begun a counteroffensive near Mykolaiv towards Kherson and captured the town of Posad-Pokrovske.{{Cite news |author1=Alan Cullison |author2=Isabel Coles |author3=Yaroslav Trofimov |date=16 March 2022 |title=Ukraine Mounts Counteroffensive to Drive Russians Back From Kyiv, Key Cities |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-mounts-counteroffensive-to-drive-russians-back-from-kyiv-key-cities-11647428858 |url-access=subscription |access-date=16 March 2022 |archive-date=16 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316111106/https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-mounts-counteroffensive-to-drive-russians-back-from-kyiv-key-cities-11647428858 |url-status=live}} Ukrainian troops in the village said their objective was to retake Kherson International Airport.{{cite news |last=Walsh |first=Nick Paton |date=21 March 2022 |title=Inside Ukraine's fight to take back Russia-controlled Kherson |url=https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/03/21/russia-mykolaiv-kherson-ukraine-nick-paton-walsh-pkg-vpx.cnn |publisher=CNN |access-date=24 March 2022 |archive-date=27 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327011639/https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/03/21/russia-mykolaiv-kherson-ukraine-nick-paton-walsh-pkg-vpx.cnn |url-status=live }}

Gennady Korban, head of Staff of Dnipro Oblast's Territorial Defense Forces, stated that the region was prepared for a Russian offensive, unlike Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. He added that Russian forces were staging in the settlements of Velyka Oleksandrivka, Novovorontsovka and Arkhanhelske.{{cite news |title=Дніпропетровська область готова до опору – Корбан |author=Katya Yuskiv |work=Korrespondent |url=https://ua.korrespondent.net/ukraine/4457270-dnipropetrovska-oblast-hotova-do-oporu-korban |date=15 March 2022 |access-date=16 March 2022 |language=uk |archive-date=16 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316010200/https://ua.korrespondent.net/ukraine/4457270-dnipropetrovska-oblast-hotova-do-oporu-korban |url-status=live}} On 17 March, the Ukrainian military reported that Russian forces achieved "minor successes" in attacks towards Kryvyi Rih, capturing the village of {{ill|Mala Shestirnia|uk|Мала Шестірня}}.{{cite web|first1=Mason|last1=Clark|first2=George|last2=Barros|first3=Kateryna|last3=Stepanenko|website=Institute for the Study of War|url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-17|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 17|date=2022-03-17|access-date=2024-04-10}} By 31 March, Ukraine's 60th Infantry Brigade and the 4th Battalion of the 17th Tank Brigade had captured eleven settlements in the northern portion of Kherson Oblast: Novovorontsovka, {{ill|Mala Shestirnia|uk|Мала Шестірня}}, {{ill|Novohryhorivka, Kherson Oblast|lt=Novohryhorivka|uk|Новогригорівка (Бериславський район)}}, {{ill|Topolyne, Kherson Oblast|lt=Topolyne|uk|Тополине (Бериславський район)}}, {{ill|Kniazivka|uk|Князівка_(Бериславський_район)}}, {{ill|Krasnivka|uk|Краснівка_(Бериславський_район)}}, {{ill|Svobodne, Kherson Oblast|lt=Svobodne|uk|Свободне (Бериславський район)}}, {{ill|Kamyanka, Kherson Oblast|lt=Kamyanka|uk|Кам'янка (Бериславський район)}}, {{ill|Pryhirya|uk|Пригір'я}}, {{ill|Kochubeivka|uk|Кочубеївка_(Бериславський_район)}} and {{ill|Orlove, Kherson Oblast|lt=Orlove|uk|Орлове (Бериславський район)}}.{{cite web|url=https://hromadske.radio/news/2022/03/31/zsu-zvil-nyly-11-naselenykh-punktiv-na-khersonshchyni|title=ЗСУ звільнили 11 населених пунктів на Херсонщині|access-date=25 February 2024|date=31 March 2022|lang=uk|first=Мирослава|last=Станкевич|website=Hromadske Radio}}{{cite web|url=https://mil.in.ua/en/news/the-armed-forces-of-ukraine-liberated-11-settlements-in-the-kherson-region/|title=The Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated 11 settlements in the Kherson region|date=1 April 2022|website=Militarnyi|access-date=3 February 2025}}

By 10 April, Ukrainian forces had made significant advances and pushed back the Russian military in the area around Kherson, gaining ground at Osokorivka and Oleksandrivka. Russian counter-attacks failed to retake the lost territory, while Ukraine continued to harass local Russian airfields.{{cite web |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-10 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 10 |publisher=Institute for the Study of War |date=10 April 2022 |access-date=14 April 2022 |archive-date=10 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410215709/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-10 |url-status=live }}

By 18 April, fighting continued, and Ukraine claimed that its 80th Air Assault Brigade had retaken a number of villages near Mykolaiv. Two days later, Russia counter-attacked and made minor gains at Oleksandrivka.{{cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 20 |date=20 April 2022 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-20 |publisher=Institute for the Study of Warfare |access-date=22 April 2022 |archive-date=14 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614003055/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-20 |url-status=live }} Gerashchenko announced that Ukrainian forces captured three villages near Snihurivka on 27 April.{{cite web |date=26 April 2022 |title=Russia-Ukraine live news: Russian troops seize eastern towns – Russia seizes two towns in Donbas: Ukraine military |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/26/russia-warns-poland-bulgaria-it-will-cut-off-gas-supplies-liveblog |work=Aljazeera |access-date=27 April 2022 |archive-date=3 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503165401/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/26/russia-warns-poland-bulgaria-it-will-cut-off-gas-supplies-liveblog |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Mason |last3=Barros |first3=George |last2=Stepanenko |first2=Kateryna |date=27 April 2022 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 27 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-27 |publisher=Institute for the Study of War |access-date=28 April 2022|quote=Local fighting continued in the Mykolayiv direction, with Russian forces conducting failed attacks towards Tavriyske and Nova Zorya and Ukrainian forces reportedly recapturing Shyroke, Novopetrivka, and Lyubino, 50 km north of Kherson.}}

By May, the situation in right-bank Kherson Oblast had become a stalemate, with the opposing forces evenly matched and unable to go on the offensive. Units of the Russian 49th Combined Arms Army and the Crimea-based 22nd Army Corps held a bridgehead over the Dnieper approximately 160{{nbsp}}km wide and 50{{nbsp}}km deep. According to Ukrainian military expert Viktor Kevliuk, the strategic purpose of the Russian bridgehead was to protect the North Crimean Canal and the "land bridge" between Crimea and mainland Russia, as well as to serve as a staging area for a future Russian operation aimed at reaching Transnistria and cutting off Ukrainian access to the Black Sea. Russian forces were said to be preparing second and third lines of defense, fortifying airfields, ports and railway stations, and mining the coast of the Kakhovka Reservoir in anticipation of a Ukrainian counterattack.

Reports began emerging on 27 May that Ukrainian troops were conducting counteroffensive efforts over the Inhulets River.{{cite web|url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-28|website=Institute for the Study of War|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 28|date=28 May 2022|access-date=3 April 2025|first1=Frederick W.|last1=Kagan|first2=Kateryna|last2=Stepanenko|first3=George|last3=Barros}} Ukrainian forces established a bridgehead over the river by 29 May{{cite web|access-date=3 April 2025|website=Institute for the Study of War|url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-30|date=30 May 2022|first1=Karolina|last1=Hird|first2=Mason|last2=Clark|first3=George|last3=Barros|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 30}} and took Davydiv Brid by 31 May, but the village had returned to Russian control by 17 June.{{Cite web |title=Davydiv Brid in Kherson region liberated from occupation – military

|url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/863037.html |access-date=3 April 2025 |website=Interfax-Ukraine |date=4 October 2022}}

In northern Kherson Oblast, units of Ukraine's 60th Brigade took control of the village of {{ill|Nezlamne|lt=Potiomkyne|uk|Незламне (село)}} on 30 June,

{{cite web|

url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-selo-khersonshchyna-zvilnennia/31922981.html|

website=Radio Svoboda|

date=30 June 2022|

access-date=7 February 2025|

title=Українські військові взяли під контроль село Потьомкине на Херсонщині – ЗСУ|

language=uk}}

and then captured {{ill|Ivanivka, Beryslav Raion, Kherson Oblast|lt=Ivanivka|uk|Іванівка (Бериславський район)}} on 11 July.

{{cite web|

url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-60-opbr-zvilnennia-ivanivky/31937890.html|

date=11 July 2022|

access-date=7 February 2025|

language=uk|

website=Radio Svoboda|

title=60-та окрема піхотна бригада повідомляє про звільнення села Іванівка на Херсонщині}}

{{main article|Siege of Mariupol}}

File:Mariupol downtown street destroyed by the Russian siege.jpg]]

In a telephone conversation with Emmanuel Macron on 29 March, Putin stated that the bombardment of Mariupol would end only when Ukrainian troops fully surrendered Mariupol.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60926470 |title=Ukraine War: Putin demands Mariupol surrender to end shelling |work=BBC News |date=30 March 2022 |access-date=31 March 2022 |archive-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331074625/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60926470 |url-status=live }}

On 1 April, a rescue effort by the United Nations (UN) to transport hundreds of civilian survivors out of Mariupol with 50 allocated buses was impeded by Russian troops, who refused the buses safe passage into the city while peace talks continued in Istanbul.{{cite news |title=Ukraine: No 'plan B' for evacuation of shattered Mariupol, say humanitarians, as Friday attempt fails |date=1 April 2022 |work=UN News |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/04/1115282 |access-date=3 April 2022 |archive-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401143758/https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/04/1115282 |url-status=live }}

According to the Mariupol City Council, by 15 March, 2,357 civilians had been killed during the city's siege.{{Cite news |title=Russian forces shoot at civilians in Hostomel |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/russia-ukraine-war/story/russian-forces-shoot-at-civilians-in-hostomel-1925524-2022-03-15 |date=15 March 2022 |access-date=15 March 2022 |work=India Today |archive-date=15 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315074954/https://www.indiatoday.in/world/russia-ukraine-war/story/russian-forces-shoot-at-civilians-in-hostomel-1925524-2022-03-15 |url-status=live}} Following a renewed missile attack on 14 March in Mariupol, the Ukrainian government claimed more than 2,500 deaths in the city.{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-14-22/h_3db1542de366d188c4e7979e7b5ecc95 |title=Ukraine puts death toll in Mariupol bombardment at more than 2,500 |first1=Tim |last1=Lister |first2=Julia |last2=Kesa |publisher=CNN |date=14 March 2022 |access-date=14 March 2022 |archive-date=22 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322033413/https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-14-22/h_3db1542de366d188c4e7979e7b5ecc95 |url-status=live }} By 18 March, Mariupol was completely encircled and fighting reached the city centre, hampering efforts to evacuate civilians.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/18/russia-missile-lviv-mariupol-ukraine-war |title=Fighting reaches central Mariupol as shelling hinders rescue attempts |first1=Daniel |last1=Boffey |first2=Lorenzo |last2=Tondo |newspaper=The Guardian |date=18 March 2022 |access-date=21 March 2022 |archive-date=23 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323095031/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/18/russia-missile-lviv-mariupol-ukraine-war |url-status=live }} The Russians demanded a full surrender, which several Ukrainian government officials including Zelenskyy refused.{{cite news |title=Ukraine rejects Russian demand to surrender port city of Mariupol in exchange for safe passage |date=20 March 2022 |publisher=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-mariupol-russia-surrender-reject/ |access-date=21 March 2022 |archive-date=23 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323173958/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-mariupol-russia-surrender-reject/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Ukraine refuses to surrender Mariupol as scope of human toll remains unclear |date=21 March 2022 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-russia-war-march21-1.6391709 |access-date=21 March 2022 |archive-date=23 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323080520/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-russia-war-march21-1.6391709 |url-status=live }}"Ukraine refuses to surrender Mariupol". CBS Evening News. 3-21-2022.[https://www.cbsnews.com/video/ukraine-refuses-to-surrender-mariupol/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322073734/https://www.cbsnews.com/video/ukraine-refuses-to-surrender-mariupol/|date=22 March 2022}} On 24 March, Russian forces entered central Mariupol,{{Cite news |date=25 March 2022 |title=Ukraine war in maps: Tracking the Russian invasion |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60506682 |access-date=25 March 2022 |archive-date=24 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324032821/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60506682 |url-status=live }} seizing the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God. The city administration alleged that Russians were trying to demoralize residents by publicly shouting claims of Russian victories, including statements that Odesa had been captured.{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 24 |author1=Mason Clark |author2=George Barros |author3=Kateryna Stepanenko |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-24 |access-date=25 March 2022 |publisher=Institute for the Study of War |language=en |archive-date=15 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615143556/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-24 |url-status=live }} On 27 March, Ukraine's deputy prime minister, Olha Stefanishyna, stated that Mariupol "simply does not exist anymore," and that Russia's objectives have "nothing to do with humanity." Stefanishyna summarized that: "They (Mariupol's inhabitants) don’t have access to water, to any food supplies, to anything. More than 85 percent of the whole town is destroyed."{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/599917-ukrainian-official-mariupol-simply-does-not-exist-anymore|title=Ukrainian official: Mariupol 'simply does not exist anymore'|author=Rachel Scully|work=The Hill|date=27 March 2022|accessdate=29 March 2022|archive-date=28 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328195312/https://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/599917-ukrainian-official-mariupol-simply-does-not-exist-anymore|url-status=live}}

In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukrainian forces had recaptured the villages of Malynivka, {{Ill|Poltavka, Zaporizhzhia Oblast|lt=Poltavka|uk|Полтавка (Пологівський район)}} by 27 March,{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-27-22#h_7bd9e21b57b6249322e10e1b05136b26|website=CNN|date=27 March 2022|access-date=26 January 2025|title=Ukraine says counterattack northwest of Mariupol recaptures two villages from Russian forces|first1=Paul P.|last1=Murphy|first2=Tim|last2=Lister|first3=Josh|last3=Pennington}} and had also retaken the settlements of {{ill|Zatyshshia, Zaporizhzhia Oblast|lt=Zatyshshia|uk|Затишшя (Пологівський район)}}, {{ill|Zelenyi Hai, Zaporizhzhia Oblast|lt=Zelenyi Hai|uk|Зелений Гай (Гуляйпільська міська громада)}}, {{ill|Vesele, Polohy Raion, Zaporizhzhia Oblast|lt=Vesele|uk|Веселе (Гуляйпільська міська громада)}} and {{ill|Chervone, Zaporizhzhia Oblast|lt=Chervone|uk|Високе (Пологівський район)}} by 31 March.{{cite web|url=https://war.telegraf.com.ua/ukr/zaporozhe/2022-03-31/5701064-rossiyane-razbity-ukrainskie-desantniki-osvobodili-neskolko-sel-v-zaporozhskoy-oblasti|first=Олена|last=Вєчканова|access-date=26 January 2025|date=31 March 2022|title=Росіяни розбиті: українські десантники звільнили кілька сіл у Запорізькій області|website=Telegraf|lang=uk}}

{{Update section|date=December 2022}}

{{Main articles|2022 Kherson counteroffensive}}

{{further|Liberation of Kherson}}

File:Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in hoisting the State Flag of Ukraine in liberated Kherson. (52502133553).jpg's visit following the liberation of Kherson, 14 November 2022]]

On 10 July, Iryna Vereshchuk, the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and the Minister of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories, urged civilians in Kherson Oblast to evacuate ahead of an upcoming Ukrainian counterattack there, without specifying when the offensive would take place.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/jul/10/russia-ukraine-war-live-news-zelenskiy-dismisses-ambassadors-six-killed-in-strike-on-donetsk-apartment-block|work=The Guardian|title=Civilians in Kherson urged to evacuate|date=10 July 2022|access-date=10 July 2022|archive-date=20 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720052139/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/jul/10/russia-ukraine-war-live-news-zelenskiy-dismisses-ambassadors-six-killed-in-strike-on-donetsk-apartment-block|url-status=live}} Ukraine's defence minister Oleksii Reznikov also signalled an upcoming offensive in the region.

On 11 July, Ukrainian forces launched a missile attack with HIMARS rockets on the Russian-occupied city of Nova Kakhovka. Ukrainian officials claimed that the strike killed the chief of staff for the 22nd Army Corps, Major General Artyom Nasbulin, along with five colonels and a total of 150 soldiers. Russian forces confirmed the strike but did not confirm the death of the officers claimed by Ukraine, claiming that the Ukrainian rocket hit a warehouse that contained chemicals which then exploded.{{cite web| url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/himars-rocket-strike-kills-russian-major-general-and-up-to-a-dozen-officers/ar-AAZv67M| title=Himars rocket strike kills Russian major general and up to a dozen officers| website=msn.com| author1=Roland Oliphant, James Kilner| date=13 July 2022| access-date=13 July 2022| archive-date=25 July 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725194842/https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/himars-rocket-strike-kills-russian-major-general-and-up-to-a-dozen-officers/ar-AAZv67M| url-status=live}}{{cite web|url= https://www.thedailybeast.com/another-general-killed-as-russian-leak-admits-big-shot-fucking-command-was-obliterated|title= Another General Killed as Russian Leak Admits 'Big Shot Fucking Command' Was Obliterated|website= thedailybeast.com|author1= Allison Quinn|date= 12 July 2022|access-date= 13 July 2022|archive-date= 15 July 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220715085834/https://www.thedailybeast.com/another-general-killed-as-russian-leak-admits-big-shot-fucking-command-was-obliterated|url-status= live}}

On 29 August, Ukraine launched a counteroffensive on the Kherson front.{{Cite news |title=Ukraine Claims Breakthroughs Made Against Russian Forces In Southern Offensive |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-invasion-southern-offensive-kherson/32009148.html |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |language=en}} During a 3 day period from 2 October to 4 October, Ukraine liberated 11 settlements in northern Kherson,{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 3 |url= https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-3 |publisher=Institute for the Study of War |access-date=4 October 2022}} including Davydiv Brid.{{cite web|url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/863037.html|website=Interfax-Ukraine|access-date=1 April 2025|date=4 October 2022|title=Davydiv Brid in Kherson region liberated from occupation – military}} On 9 November, Russia announced the withdrawal of troops from Kherson,{{Cite web |title=Russia orders troop withdrawal from Ukraine's Kherson city |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/9/russia-orders-withdrawal-from-ukraines-kherson-city |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} with Ukrainian troops reportedly entering Snihurivka the next day.{{Cite news |last= |title=Tears, Joy On The Streets As Ukrainian Troops Push Toward Kherson |language=en |work=RFE/RL |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-war-recapture-photos-kherson-snihurivka/32125702.html |access-date=2023-11-14}}{{Cite web |date=2022-11-09 |title=Latest Developments in Ukraine: Nov. 9 |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/latest-development-in-ukraine-nov-9/6826430.html |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-11-09 |title=Ukrainian troops reportedly enter Snihurivka as Russia announces retreat from Kherson |url=https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-troops-reportedly-enter-snihurivka-as-russia-prepares-to-retreat-from-kherson/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=The Kyiv Independent |language=en}} On 11 November, Ukrainian troops entered the city of Kherson,{{Cite web |last1=Maynes |first1=Charles |last2=Westerman |first2=Ashley |date=November 11, 2022 |title=Ukrainian troops enter Kherson city after Russia retreats |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/11/11/1135995012/ukrainian-troops-enter-kherson-russia-withdrawal-ukraine |website=NPR}} and were met by crowds of Ukrainian citizens chanting "Slava Ukraini!" and "Glory to the ZSU,"{{Cite web |date=2022-11-11 |title=Scenes of jubilation as Ukraine troops enter Kherson hours after Russian withdrawal |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-russia-kherson-liberation-withdrawal-b2223131.html |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=The Independent |language=en}} expressing their gratitude by lifting up soldiers and waving Ukrainian flags.{{Cite news |last=Abrahams |first=Jessica |date=2022-11-12 |title=Russian forces 'snuck out of Kherson in civilian clothes' |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/11/12/ukraine-news-russia-war-kherson-retreat-putin-peace-latest/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |issn=0307-1235}}{{Cite news |date=2022-11-13 |title=Kherson: Inside the city liberated from the Russians |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63615008 |access-date=2023-11-14}}

{{Update section|date=December 2022}}

{{See|Surovikin Line|Dnieper campaign (2022–present)}}

File:Kherson after Russian shelling, 2022-12-24 (10).jpg

In the aftermath of Ukraine's recapture of right-bank Kherson Oblast, Ukrainian forces began conducting a small-scale military campaign on the Dnieper, conducting raids and incursions on the left bank and on the Kinburn Spit.{{Cite news |last=Segura |first=Cristian |date=2022-11-21 |title=Ukraine opens a new front on the Dnipro to threaten Moscow's rearguard |language=en |url=https://english.elpais.com/international/2022-11-21/ukraine-opens-a-new-front-on-the-dnipro-to-threaten-moscows-rearguard.html |access-date=2023-12-27}}

In December 2022, following previous successful counteroffensives, speculation among Western analysts and media about a prospective Ukrainian campaign to retake Crimea abounded. In the event of such an offensive, observers and analysts suggested Ukraine could attack along the Zaporizhzhia front and advance towards the strategic city of Melitopol to cut Russia's "landbridge to Crimea." Throughout the month, Russia reinforced its defense lines in southern Ukraine, particularly along the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson fronts.{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/b01669cb-5be8-4f69-8d18-8eef0c0c2088|work=Financial Times|date=25 December 2022|access-date=26 December 2022|title=Big war is back': 5 lessons from Russia's invasion of Ukraine}} Attacks on "collaborators" and Russian agents by apparent Ukrainian partisans and saboteurs continued.{{cite news|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/ukraine-situation-report-strategic-city-of-melitopol-could-be-kyivs-next-target|work=The Drive|title=Ukraine Situation Report: Strategic City Of Melitopol Could Be Kyiv's Next Target|date=23 December 2022|access-date=25 December 2022}}

On 23 December, Ukraine's mayor of Melitopol Ivan Fedorov said the Russians were transforming the city into a fortress, replete with dragon's teeth defenses. Meanwhile, satellite imagery showed that Russian troops had established trenches around the perimeters of Tokmak in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, considered a strategic city on the approach towards Melitopol.{{cite news|url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23|work=The Institute for the Study of War|date=23 December 2022|access-date=24 December 2022|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 23}} On 15 May 2023, Ukrainian military intelligence estimated that the Russians had stationed 152,000 troops in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts in anticipation of a potential Ukrainian counteroffensive.[https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/05/15/7402246/ Over 150,000 Russian troops in southern Ukraine prepare for Ukrainian counteroffensive – Defence Intelligence]

{{Further information|2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive|Destruction of the Kakhovka Dam}}

File:School in Orikhiv after Russian bombing, 2023-07-09 (12).jpg, July 2023]]

As Ukraine prepared to launch its counteroffensive in the south, there were signs of activity on the Dnieper front.{{Cite news |last=Santora |first=Marc |date=2023-10-21 |title=With raids across Dnieper River, Ukraine may be seeking new front in war |language=en |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/10/21/world/politics/ukraine-war-russia-new-front-dnieper-river/ |access-date=2023-12-27}} However, on June 6, 2023, the Kakhovka Dam in Nova Kakhovka was purposefully destroyed while under Russian control since March 2022, massively flooding the region. Experts assess that Russian forces likely blew the dam up.{{Cite news |last1=Glanz |first1=James |author-link1=James Glanz |last2=Santora |first2=Marc |last3=Pérez-Peña |first3=Richard |author-link3=Richard Pérez-Peña |date=2023-06-06 |title=Internal Blast Probably Breached Ukraine Dam, Experts Say (Cautiously) |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/06/world/europe/ukraine-kakhovka-dam-russia.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-06-07 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230607145020/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/06/world/europe/ukraine-kakhovka-dam-russia.html |archive-date=7 June 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news |last1=Glanz |first1=James |last2=Santora |first2=Marc |last3=Robles |first3=Pablo |last4=Willis |first4=Haley |last5=Leatherby |first5=Lauren |last6=Koettl |first6=Christoph |last7=Khavin |first7=Dmitriy |date=2023-06-16 |title=Why the Evidence Suggests Russia Blew Up the Kakhovka Dam |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/06/16/world/europe/ukraine-kakhovka-dam-collapse.html |access-date=2023-06-19 |issn=0362-4331}} This forced combat to stop along the river for a time.

In early June 2023, Ukrainian forces launched their counteroffensive on the eastern part of the southern front, focusing on multiple directions, including Orikhiv{{Cite news |date=June 8, 2023 |title=Fighting rages in Zaporizhzhia region, pro-Russian official says |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/06/08/russia-ukraine-war-news-counteroffensive/#link-CJTDB2JLHNBZLN7WH5L5MT76RI |url-status=live |access-date=June 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608185732/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/06/08/russia-ukraine-war-news-counteroffensive/#link-CJTDB2JLHNBZLN7WH5L5MT76RI |archive-date=June 8, 2023}} and Velyka Novosilka,{{cite web |last1=Hird |first1=Karolina |last2=Barros |first2=George |last3=Mappes |first3=Grace |last4=Wolkov |first4=Nicole |last5=Clark |first5=Mason |last6=Kagan |first6=Fredrick W. |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 8, 2023 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-8-2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609004240/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-8-2023 |archive-date=June 9, 2023 |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Institute for the Study of War}} which are located in eastern Zaporizhzhia Oblast and western Donetsk Oblast, respectively. By 11 June, Ukraine had recaptured the front line settlements of Neskuchne, Blahodatne, Storozheve, Makarivka, and Novodarivka.{{cite web |last1=Mappes |first1=Grace |last2=Wolkov |first2=Nicole |last3=Stepanenko |first3=Kateryna |last4=Barros |first4=George |last5=Clark |first5=Mason |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 11, 2023 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-11-2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230612024326/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-11-2023 |archive-date=June 12, 2023 |access-date=June 12, 2023 |website=Institute for the Study of War}} The progress of the offensive slowed as time progressed, despite the capture of several more villages, including Robotyne on 23 August.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-22 |title=Ukrainian Army's 47th brigade says Robotyne has been liberated |url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/08/22/robotyne-has-been-liberated-according-to-ukrainian-armys-47th-brigade |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=euronews |language=en}} By December 2023, prominent Ukrainian figures and Western analysts began giving negative assessments of the success of the counteroffensive; statements by Ukrainian general Valerii Zaluzhnyi in early November 2023 that the war had arrived at a "stalemate" were seen by observers as an admission of its failure,{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/ukraine-generals-view-war-stalemate-appears-recognition-failed/story?id=104576525|title=Ukraine general's view of war 'stalemate' appears to be recognition of failed counteroffensive: Reporter's Notebook|first=Tom|last=Soufi Burridge|work=ABC News|date=3 November 2023|access-date=4 November 2023}} and followed more definite assessments made by analysts, especially with regard to operational success, from several weeks earlier.{{Cite news |date=12 October 2023 |title=Ukraine im Schatten von Nahost - Reisner: Die Gegenoffensive ist gescheitert |url=https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/ukraine-gegenoffensive-israel-waffen-reisner-ukraine-krieg-russland-100.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013081507/https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/ukraine-gegenoffensive-israel-waffen-reisner-ukraine-krieg-russland-100.html |archive-date=13 October 2023 |access-date=13 October 2023 |website=ZDF |language=de}} Ukrainian forces did not reach the city of Tokmak, described as a "minimum goal" by Ukrainian general Oleksandr Tarnavskyi,{{Cite web |last1=Cotovio |first1=Vasco |last2=Pleitgen |first2=Frederik |last3=Hodge |first3=Daniel |last4=Gak |first4=Konstyantyn |last5=Kesaieva |first5=Yulia |date=2023-09-23 |title=Ukrainian forces have broken through in Verbove, top general says |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/23/europe/ukraine-biggest-counteroffensive-to-come-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=2023-11-27 |website=CNN}} and the probable initial objective of reaching the Sea of Azov to split the Russian forces in southern Ukraine remained unfulfilled.{{Cite news |date=2023-10-12 |title=We are out of schedule – Head of Ukraine's Defence Intelligence |language=en |work=Yahoo News |url=https://news.yahoo.com/schedule-head-ukraines-defence-intelligence-093800579.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-10-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013003917/https://news.yahoo.com/schedule-head-ukraines-defence-intelligence-093800579.html |archive-date=2023-10-13}}{{Cite news |last=Kilner |first=James |date=2023-10-15 |title=Ukraine's counter-offensive is a 'disaster', says former Zelensky adviser |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/10/15/ukraines-counter-offensive-russia-disaster-zelensky-adviser/ |access-date=2023-10-18 |issn=0307-1235}}{{Cite web |last=Pietralunga |first=Cédric |date=25 October 2023 |title=Pourquoi la contre-offensive de l'Ukraine est en échec |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2023/10/26/guerre-en-ukraine-pourquoi-la-contre-offensive-de-kiev-est-en-echec_6196499_3210.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026122206/https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2023/10/26/guerre-en-ukraine-pourquoi-la-contre-offensive-de-kiev-est-en-echec_6196499_3210.html |archive-date=26 October 2023 |access-date=26 October 2023 |website=Le Monde |language=fr}}

As the floodwaters from the Dnieper receded, Ukraine resumed its incursions across the river on a larger scale. In December 2023, Ukraine established a foothold on the left bank at the village Krynky.

The Ukrainian military announced on 3 March 2024 that it was spending a record amount of funding on fortifying Zaporizhzhia Oblast on the southern front.{{cite news|work=Al Jazeera|title=Russia takes more ground in east Ukraine but loses another ship at sea|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/6/russia-takes-more-ground-in-east-ukraine-but-loses-another-ship-at-sea|date=6 March 2024|access-date=14 March 2024}}

On 17 February, fighting resumed in Robotyne when Russian forces started a large-scale attack on the village, recapturing a position south of it.{{Cite web |title=Institute for the Study of War |url=http://dev-isw.bivings.com/ |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325065358/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-24 |url-status=dead }} On 15 May 2024, the Russian Ministry of Defence claimed that Russian forces fully recaptured the village.{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Isabel van Brugen |date=2024-05-15 |title=Zaporizhzhia Update: Russia claims it recaptured key outpost of Robotyne |url=https://www.newsweek.com/robotyne-russia-captured-zaporizhzhia-front-counteroffensive-ukraine-1900857 |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Newsweek |language=en}} War analyst Emil Kastehelmi stated to The New York Times that the village with its recapture "lacks strategic importance to Russia and is now little more than ruins", but however, that it was still "a symbolic blow to Ukraine after fighting so hard to win it back last year".{{Cite news |last=Méheut |first=Constant |date=2024-05-23 |title=Advancing Russian Troops Threaten to Reverse Some of Ukraine's Hard-Won Gains |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/23/world/europe/ukraine-russia-battlefield-gains.html |access-date=2024-06-14 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

On 16 June 2024, the Russian military announced the capture of the village of Zahirne in Zaporizhzhia, located south of Huliaipole. The report could not be independently verified at the time.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/06/16/ukraine-russia-war-latest-live-updates/#1718534723869|work=The Telegraph|title=Ukraine ready for ceasefire 'tomorrow'|date=16 June 2024}} On 18 July, Krynky was fully recaptured by Russian forces.{{Cite news |date=2024-07-18 |title=Ukraine Withdraws From Strategic Position in Southern Region |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-18/ukraine-withdraws-from-strategic-position-in-southern-region |access-date=2024-07-19 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}

In early October 2024, Ukrainian intelligence predicted that Russian forces would restart offensive efforts towards Orikhiv in an effort to sever Ukrainian logistics lines.{{cite web|work=Ukrainska Pravda|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/10/5/7478308/|title=Russians prepare offensive in Zaporizhzhia Oblast to cut off Ukrainian military logistics – Ukrainian forces|first=Kateryna|last=Tyshchenko|date=5 October 2024}} Russian forces meanwhile restarted combat operations around Kamianske in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast, advancing near the village and the neighbouring Plavni, following a reported unsuccessful Ukrainian attack.{{cite web|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 7, 2024 |last1=Mappes |first1=Grace |last2=Wolkov |first2=Nicole |last3=Barros |first3=George |last4=Evans |first4=Angelica |last5=Kagan |first5=Frederick W. |work=Institute for the Study of War |date=7 October 2024 |access-date=7 October 2024 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-7-2024}}

{{See also|Velyka Novosilka offensive}}

;{{armed forces|Russia}}

• 8th Combined Arms Army
• 20th Guards Motor Rifle Division{{Cite web |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russia-ukraine-warning-update-russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-27-2022 |title=Russia-Ukraine Warning Update: Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 27, 2022 |website=Critical Threats|access-date=27 February 2022 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228023432/https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russia-ukraine-warning-update-russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-27-2022 |url-status=live }}
• {{ill|33rd Motor Rifle Regiment|ru|33-й мотострелковый полк}}{{cite web|url=https://infonavigator.com.ua/novosti/proslavlennye-desantniki-rossii-pokazali-svoj-professionalizm-pod-hersonom/|title=«Прославленные» десантники России показали свой «профессионализм» под Херсоном|date=2022-05-24|access-date=2022-03-04|lang=ru}}{{cite web|title=ВСУ НАНЕСЛИ УДАР ПО КАХОВСКОМУ МОСТУ И СИСТЕМАМ ПВО В НОВОЙ КАХОВКЕ|url=https://www.5.ua/ru/rehyoni/vsu-nanesly-udar-po-kakhovskomu-mostu-y-systemam-pvo-v-novoi-kakhovke-285866.html|website=5 Kanal|date=2022-08-25|access-date=2024-03-04|lang=ru}}
• {{ill|255th Guards Motor Rifle Regiment|ru|255-й гвардейский мотострелковый полк}}{{cite web|url=https://v102.ru/news/113163.html|access-date=2024-03-04|date=2022-11-13|title=Стало известно о положении волгоградских бойцов под Херсоном|lang=ru}}{{cite web|url=https://infokam.su/volgogradskij-255-j-motostrelkovyj-polk-perepravilsya-na-levyj-bereg-v-hersonskoj-oblasti-v-polnom-sostave.html|author=Леонид Смелов|access-date=2024-03-02|date=2022-11-14|title=Волгоградский 255-й мотострелковый полк переправился на левый берег в Херсонской области в полном составе}}
• {{ill|944th Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment|ru|944-й гвардейский самоходный артиллерийский полк}}
• {{ill|358th Anti-Aircraft Rocket Regiment|ru|358-й гвардейский зенитный ракетный полк}}
• 49th Combined Arms Army (Nova Kakhovka){{cite web|url=https://cripo.com.ua/vojna-s-rf/situatsiya-na-fronti-na-hersonskomu-napryamku-spivvidnoshennya-sil-i-zasobiv/|access-date=2024-03-02|date=2022-05-29|title=Ситуація на фронті на херсонському напрямку: співвідношення сил і засобів|lang=uk}}
• 34th Independent Motor Rifle (Mountain) Brigade{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 30 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-july-30 |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}}
• 205th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade{{cite web |access-date=2023-06-06 |title=Official: Kakhovka dam was blown up by Russia's 205th Motorized Rifle Brigade | website=The Kyiv Independent |date=6 June 2023 |url=https://kyivindependent.com/official-kakhovka-dam-was-blown-up-by-russias-205th-motorized-rifle-brigade/}}{{Cite web |date=2022-03-03 |title=Оперативна інформація Міноборони станом на 06.00 03.03.2022 щодо російського вторгнення. |url=https://koda.gov.ua/operatyvna-informacziya-minoborony-stanom-na-06-00-03-03-2022-shhodo-rosijskogo-vtorgnennya/ |access-date=2022-05-14 |website=Київська обласна військова адміністрація |language=uk}}
• 1st Guards Rocket Brigade{{cite web|url=https://puheenvuoro.uusisuomi.fi/aripesonen1/venajan-hukkaama-sotakartta-kertoo-venajan-sotataktiikasta-jota-ukraina-nyt-haastaa-ja-lyo-kovasti/|title=Venäjän hukkaama sotakartta kertoo Venäjän sotataktiikasta, jota Ukraina nyt haastaa ja lyö kovasti|author=Ari Pesonen|lang=fi|access-date=2024-03-09|date=2022-08-14|website=Uusi Suomi}}
• {{ill|90th Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade|ru|90-я зенитная ракетная бригада

}}

• 227th Artillery Brigade
• 58th Combined Arms Army
• 42nd Guards Motor Rifle Division
• 336th Naval Infantry Brigade
• Russian Airborne Forces
• 7th Guards Mountain Air Assault Division
• 56th Guards Air Assault Regiment{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/17/i-dont-see-justice-in-this-war-russian-soldier-exposes-rot-at-core-of-ukraine-invasion |title='I don't see justice in this war': Russian soldier exposes rot at core of Ukraine invasion |author=Andrew Roth & Pjotr Sauer |work=The Guardian |date=17 August 2022 |access-date=21 September 2022}}
• 108th Guards Kuban Cossack Air Assault Regiment{{cite web|url=https://nikcenter.org/nezlamnyj-mykolayiv/|title=Незламний Миколаїв|lang=uk|access-date=2023-04-04|website=NikCenter|first1=Олеся|last1=Борейко|first2=Альона|last2=Петрук|first3=Марія|last3=Іваннікова|first4=Олег|last4=Оганов|first5=Оксана|last5=Орсач|first6=Даніїл|last6=Сліж|first7=Олександр|last7=Сідєлєв}}
• 247th Guards Air Assault Regiment{{Cite web |title=Fighting escalates on two contact line areas – UK Intelligence |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/07/29/7413345/ |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=Ukrainska Pravda |language=en}}{{cite news|url=https://censor.net/ua/news/3362604/vorojyyi_sklad_z_boyeprypasamy_ta_komandnyyi_punkt_247_desantnoshturmovogo_polku_znyscheno_v_chornobayivtsi|title=Ворожий склад з боєприпасами та командний пункт 247 десантно-штурмового полку знищено в Чорнобаївці, - ОК "Південь"|newspaper=Censor.NET|date=23 August 2022|language=uk}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/17/they-turned-us-into-savages-russian-soldier-describes-start-of-ukraine-invasion |title='They turned us into savages': Russian soldier describes start of Ukraine invasion |author=Pavel Fitalyev |work=The Guardian |date=17 August 2022 |access-date=21 September 2022}}
• 11th Guards Air Assault Brigade
• 76th Guards Air Assault Division{{Cite web|title=RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, OCTOBER 3|url= https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-3 |website=Institute for the Study of War |accessdate=2022-10-03}}
• 83rd Guards Air Assault Brigade{{cite web |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/russias-war/uaf-gain-ground-in-kherson-and-donbas-sectors-dozens-of-rf-armored-vehicles-claimed-destroyed.html |title=UAF Gain Ground in Kherson and Donbas Sectors, Dozens of RF Armored Vehicles Claimed Destroyed |work=Kyiv Post |date=5 September 2022 |access-date=6 October 2022 }}
• Spetsnaz GRU
• 10th Spetsnaz Brigade
• Russian Air Force{{cite web |url=https://ukrainetoday.org/2022/09/25/armed-forces-of-ukraine-took-revenge-on-the-russian-su-25-and-the-mi-8-helicopter-which-flew-to-rescue-the-pilot/ |title=Armed Forces of Ukraine took revenge on the Russian SU-25 and the Mi-8 helicopter, which flew to rescue the pilot |work=Ukraine Today |date=25 September 2022 |access-date=6 October 2022 |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006130947/https://ukrainetoday.org/2022/09/25/armed-forces-of-ukraine-took-revenge-on-the-russian-su-25-and-the-mi-8-helicopter-which-flew-to-rescue-the-pilot/ |url-status=dead }}
• Russian Navy
• Black Sea Fleet
• 22nd Army Corps (Kherson)
• 126th Coastal Defence Brigade{{Cite web |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-25-2022 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 25, 2022 |access-date=27 February 2022 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226021229/https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-25-2022 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=October 4, 2022 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 4 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-4 |website=Institute for the Study of War}}
• {{ill|127th Reconnaissance Brigade|uk|127-ма окрема розвідувальна бригада (РФ)}}
• {{ill|439th Rocket Artillery Brigade|ru|439-я_гвардейская_реактивная_артиллерийская_бригада}}
• {{ill|291st Artillery Brigade|ru|291-я гвардейская артиллерийская бригада}}

;{{flagicon|Donetsk People's Republic}} Donetsk People's Republic People's Militia{{cite web |title=Mykolaiv Oblast governor reports shootout between Russian troops, Russia's proxies in neighboring region |date=17 April 2022 |url=https://kyivindependent.com/uncategorized/mykolaiv-oblast-governor-reports-shootout-between-russian-troops-russias-proxies-in-neighboring-region/ |website=Kyiv Independent |access-date=22 April 2022 |archive-date=22 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422121337/https://kyivindependent.com/uncategorized/mykolaiv-oblast-governor-reports-shootout-between-russian-troops-russias-proxies-in-neighboring-region/ |url-status=live }}

• 109th Regiment{{cite web|url=https://www.kyivpost.com/russias-war/ukrainian-counteroffensive-underway-in-kherson-region.html |title=Ukrainian Counteroffensive Underway in Kherson Region |work=Kyiv Post |date=29 August 2022 |access-date=29 August 2022}}

;{{armed forces|Ukraine}}

• {{army|Ukraine}}
• 1st Special Operations Brigade
• 17th Tank Brigade{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2022/10/04/rivers-at-their-backs-and-ukrainian-brigades-closing-in-a-lot-of-russian-troops-might-need-to-learn-to-swim/?sh=4a7110732624 |title=Rivers At Their Backs And Ukrainian Brigades Closing In, A Lot Of Russian Troops Might Need To Learn To Swim |author=David Axe |work=Forbes |date=4 October 2022 |access-date=6 October 2022 }}
• 28th Mechanized Brigade{{cite web|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/17/7332228/|access-date=2024-03-09|title=Росіян вибили з Посад-Покровського на Херсонщині – Гончаренко|author=Олена Рощіна|lang=uk|date=2022-03-17|website=Ukrayinska Pravda}}
• 59th Motorized Brigade{{cite news |last1=Schwirtz |first1=Michael |title=Proud Band of Ukrainian Troops Holds Russian Assault at Bay — for Now |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/06/world/europe/ukraine-beats-russia-mykolaiv.html |access-date=8 March 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=6 March 2022 |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309083045/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/06/world/europe/ukraine-beats-russia-mykolaiv.html |url-status=live }}
• 60th Infantry Brigade
• 128th Mountain Assault Brigade
• 98th Infantry Battalion{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/08/03/1114755089/a-young-officer-hopes-to-turn-the-tide-of-war-as-ukraine-fights-to-retake-a-key |title=A young officer hopes to turn the tide of war, as Ukraine fights to retake a key city |work=NPR |date=3 August 2022 |access-date=6 October 2022 }}
• Territorial Defense Forces
• 123rd Territorial Defense Brigade (Mykolaiv Oblast){{cite web|url=https://korabelov.info/2023/12/425997/shcho-zihralo-kliuchovu-rol-v-oboroni-mykolaieva-interaktyvna-mapa-boiv-ta-rukhu-zaharbnykiv/|title=Що зіграло ключову роль в обороні Миколаєва: інтерактивна мапа боїв та руху загарбників|date=2023-12-01|access-date=2024-03-08|lang=uk}}
• 187th Territorial Defense Brigade (Voznesensk){{cite web|title=В Миколаївській бригаді ТРО пригадали бій за Вознесенськ та побратимів, які тоді загинули|url=https://news.pn/uk/RussiaInvadedUkraine/287051|work=news.pn|language=uk|date=1 March 2023|access-date=31 May 2023|trans-title=In the Mykolaiv brigade of TRO, they remembered the battle for Voznesensk and the comrades who died then}}
• 190th Territorial Defense Brigade (Bashtanka){{cite web|title=Бій за теперішнє і майбутнє, за правду і долю нових поколінь|url=https://bashtanka.mk.gov.ua/ua/news/?id=110493|work=bashtanka.mk.gov.ua|language=uk|date=2 March 2023|access-date=7 June 2023|trans-title=The fight for the present and the future, for the truth and the fate of new generations}}
• 124th Territorial Defense Brigade (Kherson Oblast){{cite web|title=Комбат херсонського батальйону територіальної оборони розповів про перші бої за Херсон|url=https://pivdenukraine.com.ua/2022/12/08/kombat-xersonskogo-bataljonu-teritorialno%D1%97-oboroni-rozpoviv-pro-pershi-bo%D1%97-za-xerson/|work=pivdenukraine.com.ua|language=uk|date=8 December 2022|access-date=17 May 2023|trans-title=A combatant of the Kherson Territorial Defense Battalion talked about the first battles for Kherson}}
• 192nd Territorial Defense Battalion (Kherson){{cite web | last1=БРАТУЩАК |first1=ОЛЕКСІЙ |last2=РЄУЦЬКИЙ |first2=КОСТЯНТИН |title=Подвиг у Бузковому парку. Невідома історія окупації Херсона |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2022/11/8/7375378/ |publisher=Ukrainska Pravda |access-date=17 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117203452/https://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2022/11/8/7375378/ |archive-date=17 November 2023 |language=Ukrainian |date=8 March 2022 |url-status= live}}
• 194th Territorial Defense Battalion (Bilozerka)
• 126th Brigade of the Odesa Territorial Defense{{cite web |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2022/07/28/ukraine-pushes-back-in-the-kherson-region-one-village-at-a-time_5991781_4.html |title=Ukraine pushes back in Kherson region, one village at a time |work=Le Monde |date=28 July 2022 |author=Thomas D'Istria |access-date=6 October 2022 }}
• 220th Battalion
• 129th Kryvyi Rih Defense Brigade{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/ukraine-retakes-more-territory-in-southern-kherson-region |title=Ukraine retakes more territory in southern Kherson region |work=PBS |date=3 October 2022 |access-date=6 October 2022 }}
• International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine
• Separate Special Purpose Battalion{{cite web |title=Ichkerian Battalion Fighters Liberate Village Of Arkhangelske In Kherson Region |url=https://charter97.org/en/news/2022/9/1/513734/ |access-date=25 September 2022 |archive-date=3 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903181034/https://charter97.org/en/news/2022/9/1/513734/ |url-status=live }}
• Ukrainian Air Assault Forces
• 25th Airborne Brigade{{cite web|url=https://mil.in.ua/uk/articles/snajper-sicheslavskoyi-brygady-rozpoviv-pro-svij-pershyj-bij/|title=Снайпер Січеславської бригади розповів про свій перший бій|lang=uk|access-date=2024-03-13|date=2022-05-02}}
• 79th Air Assault Brigade
• 80th Air Assault Brigade{{cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 18 |date=18 April 2022 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-18 |publisher=Institute for the Study of Warfare |access-date=22 April 2022 |archive-date=18 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418232103/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-18 |url-status=live }}
• Ukrainian Air Force
• 160th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Brigade (Odesa Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade)
• Ukrainian Navy
• Ukraine Marine Corps
• 35th Marine Brigade{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63137061 |title=Ukraine regains Kherson villages from Russians |author=Paul Kirby |work=BBC |date=5 October 2022 |access-date=6 October 2022 }}{{cite web|url=https://suspilne.media/344448-ostannij-forpost-ak-mikolaiv-oboronavsa-vid-rosijskih-vijsk-na-pocatku-povnomasstabnoi-vijni-hronologia-podij/|access-date=2024-03-08|date=2022-12-31|author=Денис Бобков|website=Suspilne|lang=uk|title=Останній форпост: як Миколаїв оборонявся від російських військ на початку повномасштабної війни. Хронологія подій}}
• 137th Marine Battalion{{cite web | url = https://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2023/09/18/7420200/ | title = Генерал-майор Соколов командував обороною півдня, яку розслідує ДБР. Велике інтерв'ю про Чонгар, Херсон і Мелітополь | author = Соня Лукашова, Євген Будерацький | publisher = Українська Правда | date = 2023-09-18 }}
• 36th Marine Brigade

{{See also|Destruction of the Kakhovka Dam#Animals and environment}}

The war has had a disruptive and destructive impact on the unique plants and wildlife of the Kinburn Spit such as the Сentaurea breviceps and Сentaurea Paczoskii cornflower species,{{cite web |title=Unique plants in the south of Ukraine may become extinct because of the war |url=https://uacrisis.org/en/cherez-vijnu-unikalni-roslyny-na-pivdni-ukrayiny-mozhut-znyknuty-nazavzhdy |website=uacrisis.org |publisher=Ukraine Crisis Media Center |date=23 December 2022 |access-date=29 December 2022 |quote="Oleksiy Vasyliuk, head of the NGO Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group, said that there are unique plants on the Kinburn Spit that grow only there and nowhere else on the planet, for example, two cornflower species – Сentaurea breviceps and Сentaurea Paczoskii."}} and their sensitive ecosystem.{{cite web |author=Quaoar |title=Why is Russia fortifying an environmentally sensitive Ukrainian peninsula of sand and lakes? |url=https://m.dailykos.com/stories/2022/10/30/2132243/-Why-is-Russia-fortifying-an-environmentally-sensitive-Ukrainian-peninsula-of-sand-and-lakes |website=dailykos.com |publisher=Daily Kos |date=30 October 2022 |access-date=26 November 2022}} Bombs, and the pollutants that came from them, killed nearby dolphins, and opened the sand and soil to the threat of chemicals seeping in and invasive species, according to the research and policy director at the UK-based Conflict and Environment Observatory Doug Weir.{{cite web |last1=Cundy |first1=Antonia |title=Dead dolphins: how nature became another casualty of the Ukraine war |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jun/07/dead-dolphins-how-nature-became-another-casualty-of-the-ukraine-war |website=The Guardian |date=7 June 2022 |access-date=24 November 2022}} In May 2022 a 4,000 hectares (10,000 acres) fire, started by rockets, inflicted lasting habitat damage to the perennial forests and salt marshes of the spit.{{cite web |last1=Kottasová |first1=Ivana |title=Ukraine's natural environment is another casualty of war. The damage could be felt for decades |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/22/europe/ukraine-russia-war-environment-intl-cmd/index.html |website=cnn.com |publisher=CNN |date=22 May 2022 |access-date=24 November 2022 |quote="Precious perennial forests and salt marshes in the Kinburn Spit Reserve in the Mykolaiv region were on fire for more than a week, its unique habitats were left devastated, according to Zinoviy Petrovich, the head of Kinburn Spit Reserve."}}

{{Portal|Ukraine|Russia}}

• Crimea attacks (2022–present)
• Russian occupation of Kherson Oblast
• Russian occupation of Zaporizhzhia Oblast
• Northern Ukraine campaign
• Eastern Ukraine campaign
• Snake Island campaign
• Pavel Filatyev

{{Reflist|refs=

{{cite news | last1= Tucker | first1= Maxim | title= Ukraine has one million ready for fightback to recapture south | date= 2022-07-10 | newspaper= The Times | url= https://www.thetimes.com/article/ukraine-has-one-million-ready-for-fightback-to-recapture-south-3rhkrhstf | url-access= subscription | access-date= 2022-07-10 | archive-url= https://archive.today/20220710213957/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ukraine-has-one-million-ready-for-fightback-to-recapture-south-3rhkrhstf | archive-date= 10 July 2022 | url-status= live }}

}}

{{2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

Category:February 2022 in Ukraine

Category:March 2022 in Ukraine

Category:Kherson Oblast in the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Category:Zaporizhzhia Oblast in the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Category:Mykolaiv Oblast in the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Category:Donetsk Oblast in the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Southern

Category:April 2022 in Ukraine

Category:Orders of battle Russian invasion of Ukraine