ISW: Russia Is Nervous About The "AFU Counteroffensive" At The Junction Of Dnipropetrovsk And Zaporizhzhya Regions
- 10.02.2026, 9:18
Analysts gave the reason for the appearance of such information.
During February 9, Russian propagandists actively spread rumors about the AFU counteroffensive at the junction of Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhya regions. At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces actually denied this information, explaining that the Russians present distorted data about the situation on the front.
The Russian propagandists are trying to refute earlier false reports about Russia's advance in this area with such statements. This is according to an analysis by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Russians refute their own lies
A Russian military blogger claimed that Ukrainian forces were using foggy weather and the recent blockage of Russian troops' use of Starlink terminals to launch a counteroffensive at the junction of Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhya regions. Propagandists claimed that the AFU had advanced to Ternovatoye (northwest of Gulyaypol).
Another Kremlin-linked Russian military blogger also claimed that Ukrainian forces had launched a "local counteroffensive" in the eastern Zaporizhzhya region for the first time in a long time. Propagandists wrote that the AFU was conducting a counteroffensive, including using armored vehicles in foggy conditions and reduced Russian communications.
The spokesman for the Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine, Colonel Vladislav Voloshyn, said the AFU maintained control of Ternovatnoye after the occupiers unsuccessfully tried to hold a flag-raising ceremony in the settlement to allegedly provide evidence of its capture.
The Ukrainian Defense Forces commented on the situation
Voloshyn said that the front line is currently at least 10-15 kilometers from Ternovatoye. Voloshin also denied statements by Russian military bloggers about an alleged Ukrainian "counter-offensive" on the border of Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhya regions.
ISW noted numerous complaints by Russian military bloggers themselves about the systematic practice of Russian commanders sending false reports to their superiors about alleged successes. Russian troops, and by extension Kremlin propagandists, have likely exaggerated Russia's recent successes and are now attempting to use the Ukrainian "counteroffensive" as an excuse for Russian troops to retreat to forward positions they have likely held for some time.