Headlines
Russia has taken 12 settlements in Ukraine in first two weeks of March, top general says
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 16, 2026
1 min readLast updated: March 16, 2026
Quick Summary
Russia’s General Staff chief Valery Gerasimov announced that Russian forces captured 12 settlements in Ukraine in the first two weeks of March, saying the military is on the offensive across all fronts. However, independent assessments indicate Ukraine has made notable counter‑gains this month.
Russia Claims Control of 12 Ukrainian Settlements in Early March Offensive
Russian Military Advances in Ukraine
General Gerasimov's Statement on Territorial Gains
MOSCOW, March 16 (Reuters) - Russia has taken control of 12 settlements in Ukraine in the first two weeks of March, Russian state-run news agencies cited Russia's top general, Valery Gerasimov, as saying on Monday during a visit to the southern grouping of forces.
Russian Offensive Operations
Gerasimov, the chief of Russia's General Staff, said Russian forces were on the offensive across all fronts of what Moscow calls its special military operation in Ukraine.
Reporting and Attribution
(Reporting by ReutersWriting by Maxim Rodionov)
Key Takeaways
- •Gerasimov stated that in the first two weeks of March Russian forces took control of 12 settlements, signaling offensive momentum across all fronts per state‑run media (apnews.com).
- •Independent analysts, including the Institute for the Study of War, report that Ukraine has been advancing, particularly in Dnipropetrovsk and southern regions, reclaiming hundreds of square kilometers and several towns (english.nv.ua).
- •Ukrainian counteroffensives in the south are seen as significant disruptions to Russia’s planned spring‑summer offensive, undermining Kremlin claims of smooth progress (english.nv.ua)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Russia has taken 12 settlements in Ukraine in first two weeks of March, top general says
1How many settlements did Russia claim to capture in Ukraine in early March?
Russia claimed to have taken control of 12 settlements in Ukraine in the first two weeks of March.
2Who made the announcement about Russia's territorial gains in Ukraine?
The announcement was made by Valery Gerasimov, the chief of Russia's General Staff.
3What did Gerasimov say about Russia's military strategy in Ukraine?
Gerasimov stated that Russian forces were on the offensive across all fronts.
4During what event did Gerasimov report these developments?
He reported these developments during a visit to the southern grouping of Russian forces.
