AFU Counterattack On The Southern Front: The First 300 Square Kilometers Liberated

• 21.02.2026, 13:16

Zelensky first confirmed the success of Ukrainian forces.

Ukrainian units are making progress in liberating territories on the southern sections of the front. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky for the first time confirmed the counterattacks of the AFU in this direction and said that they managed to liberate 300 square kilometers of territory.

The head of state said this in an interview with AFP, writes France 24.

Commenting on the trilateral negotiation process involving Kiev, Moscow and Washington on ending the war started by Russia, the president noted that the Kremlin's demand to hand over to the aggressor country the unoccupied part of the Donetsk region appeared when the Ukrainian military is developing a counter-offensive on the southern section of the front.

"As of today, 300 square kilometers have been liberated," the country's leader said, but did not go into details.

Journalists note that U.S.-mediated talks in Geneva earlier this week failed to make progress on the key issue of territories as part of a possible agreement to end the war.

Kiev has repeatedly emphasized that it does not consider the possibility of withdrawing Ukrainian units from the territories of Donetschina unoccupied by the occupiers.

In the same interview, Zelensky made it clear that the US side is also putting pressure on Kiev on the territories issue. "Both the Americans and the Russians say that if you want the war to end tomorrow, leave Donbass," the country's leader said.

In addition, Washington and Moscow want Ukraine to hold presidential elections as part of a plan to end the war. "Let's be honest, the Russians just want to replace me," the head of state added.