Victory Chronicles-DAY 1101

Kyiv’s military officials say a Russian assault across the the border in the northeastern Sumy region was repelled on Feb. 25. Armored vehicles were not used yet Russian infantry continue  attempts to breach Ukrainian defenses, and fighting in the area remains ongoing.

Mjr. Dmytro Lykhovii, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s General Staff, told Ukrainska Pravda that Russian forces launched an attack near the village of Novenke, close to the Russian border.

“The enemy attempted to storm this section of the border with up to two mechanized squads. They crossed into Ukrainian territory but were blocked and pushed back into Russia,” Lykhovii said.

Despite the setback, Russian troops continue their assault with infantry groups. Ukrainian forces are working to prevent Russian advances from cutting off key logistical routes to the Kursk region that Ukraine invaded in August 2024, he added.

According to the Deep State project, the area is considered a contested “gray zone.”

Sources within Ukrainian units operating along the Kursk axis told Ukrainska Pravda that Russian forces aim to advance from Novenke toward a strategic road supplying Ukrainian troops in the region. 

The road, which connects Sumy in the Kursk regional towns ofYunakivka, and Sudzha, has been under increasing Russian drone attacks since early 2025, with strikes reaching 7–10 kilometers inside Ukrainian territory.

Ukrainian military officials say Russia now seeks to fully sever this crucial line of communication..

The amount of territory that Ukraine controls in Russia’s Kursk region is challenging to confirm. In August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Kyiv forces had taken 1,250 square kilometers of territory. 

Russia now claims to have retaken about 64 percent of that land and open-source intelligence groups say about 500 square kilometers remain under Kyiv’s control. 

Japan to allocate a $58 million grant to Ukraine for the fourth phase of its emergency recovery program, the Ukrainian Ministry for Communities and Territories Development announced.

The funds will be directed toward landmine removal, energy, water supply, public health and safety, education, and regional infrastructure restoration. The program is being implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Russian drone strike hits Zaporizhzhia, injuring elderly woman and sparking fires. A Russian drone attack on the southern city of Zaporizhzhia overnight on Feb. 27 left an 82-year-old woman injured and ignited multiple fires, regional emergency services reported.

A blaze erupted on a seventh floor apartment in a high-rise building in the wake of a drone strike, enveloping 30 square meters. The injured woman was hospitalized, while neighboring buildings sustained damage from the blast wave and debris. First responders provided psychological support to 43 people, including four children.

Two Russian T-90 tanks destroyed near Donetsk regional town of Pokrovsk, Ukrainian military says. Ukrainian forces destroyed two Russian battle T-90 tanks near Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, the military reported on Feb. 27. The operation was carried out by drone operators from their respective battalion in coordination with artillery units from the 38th Separate Marine Brigade, according to the unit’s statement.

Key Takeaways:

• Russian President Vladimir Putin and senior Russian officials continue to reject US negotiating terms and demand that Ukraine surrender territory that Russia does not occupy.
• Kremlin guidelines to Russian state media about coverage of recent US–Russian meetings indicate Russian President Vladimir Putin’s determination to manipulate US President Donald Trump and divide the West.
• US and Russian delegations met in Istanbul, Turkey on February 27 to continue to discuss US–Russian bilateral diplomatic relations.
• The Kremlin is reportedly continuing to push the United States to accept economic benefits that are unrelated to the war in Ukraine in return for Ukrainian and Western concessions that are related to the war.
• North Korea reportedly recently deployed additional troops to Kursk Oblast as North Korea continues to expand its military capabilities through cooperation with Russia.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Toretsk and Pokrovsk, and Russian forces recently advanced near Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and Velyka Novosilka.

Jr. Lt. Leonid Rozmaytyi, nicknamed Obolon, was killed on Dec. 30, 2024, while performing a combat mission near the village of Vremivka, in the Volnovakha district of Donetsk region. He was 38.

Rozmaytyi was born and raised in Kyiv. He graduated from the Kyiv University of Market Relations with a degree in law and from the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts with a degree in history and museum studies. A skilled pianist, Rozmaytyi was also an entrepreneur and worked for many years in the public sector. He served as an assistant to a member of the Kyiv City Council and was actively involved in improving his neighborhood. Before the invasion, he worked as deputy director of the State Enterprise ‘Central Training and Education Centre for Ice Skating “Ice Stadium.”

In the early hours of the full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, Rozmaytyi posted the following appeal to Ukrainians on social media: “If everyone runs away and evacuates, who will defend Ukraine and Kyiv? Stop and stand up for the defense!!! Whoever can!!! Find out how you can be useful!!! Find out the addresses of your local Territorial Defense. And do not panic!!!”

On the same day, Rozmaytyi joined the local Territorial Defense and helped defend Kyiv. He served with the 242nd separate battalion of the 241st separate territorial defense brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. After Kyiv, he participated in battles in Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. He was awarded the Medal for Military Service to Ukraine.

In October 2024, he attended the Military Academy, completed the advanced training program, and was promoted to junior lieutenant. His next deployment took him to the front lines as a platoon leader. He had no subordinates because, in his eyes, everyone was equal and part of his family, deserving of respect, understanding, and support.

Throughout his service, Rozmaytyi helped evacuate animals, rescued his comrades, and brought home those who had fallen in battle. He was buried at the Forest Cemetery in Kyiv. He is survived by his mother, sister, and many friends, as well as brothers and sisters-in-law.

*Leonid’s story on the Heroes Memorial – a platform for stories about the fallen defenders of Ukraine.

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