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16 March, 10:37
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Zelenskiy says Ukraine thwarted Russia’s spring offensive

Ukrainian troops have thwarted Russia’s spring offensive planned for March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on March 16.

In an address to the nation, Zelenskiy said Ukraine's defence forces have disrupted a Russian strategic offensive operation. “Although

attacks are constant and assaults continue, the intensity of the assaults and the scale of the confrontation are not what the Russians had planned and not what their command had promised Russia's political leadership,” Zelenskiy said.

Furthermore, noting that he held talks with Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko on putting regional resilience plans into action, he stressed that the government is focused on securing the necessary funding, much of which depends on continued support from Ukraine’s international partners.

Zelenskiy emphasized that maintaining pressure on Russia through sanctions remains crucial, alongside sustained aid packages. He also noted that decisions made by Europe, including the already approved €90 billion in assistance, need to be fully implemented in practice. According to him, Europe must follow through on its commitments so that, regardless of diplomatic developments or global uncertainties, Ukraine’s regions are properly prepared for the coming winter, building on the lessons learned from the previous one.

Earlier, the Institute for the Study of War reported that Ukrainian troops were scaling up their medium-range strike capabilities, and boosting their potential to thwart Russia’s missile attacks, undermine Russia’s air defences and disrupt the Kremlin’s offensive operations in spring and summer of 2026.