ISW: Russian Army Sharply Reduced The Pace Of Offensive On The Frontline
- 5.04.2026, 12:14
Among the key factors are the counter-offensive actions of the AFU in the southeast.
The pace of Russian forces' offensive in March 2026 has slowed significantly, reaching its lowest levels since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine.
This was reported by the Institute for the Study of War, ISW.
According to analysts, Russian forces were able to capture only 23 sq. km. of territory in March, a sharp drop from the previous months: in January, Russia advanced 319 sq. km. and in February, 123 sq. km. km of territory, which is a sharp drop compared to the previous months: in January, the Russian Federation advanced 319 sq. km, and in February - 123 sq. km.
A similar low result has not been recorded since at least September 2023.
Specialists explain this situation by several factors. One of the main ones is the local counter-offensive actions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the southeast, which caused the loss of Russian positions in some parts of the front.
The factors that influenced the slowdown of the onslaught also include internal constraints in Russia itself. In particular, they refer to disruptions in the use of Starlink satellite communications and restricted access to the Telegram messenger, which was actively used by the military.
According to analysts, the Russians suffered the greatest losses in positions on the southern section of the front, in the area between Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
The situation on the front
Reminder, British intelligence assessed the situation on the front as the best for Ukraine in 10 months.
At the same time on the front recently recorded an increase in Russian assaults. This is explained by the weather - fog and rain allow the occupiers to move stealthily.
Ukrainian intelligence records the accumulation of enemy forces in two key directions - Pokrovsk and Gulyaipol.
The large-scale offensive, which Russia planned for March, was thwarted by the AFU. Now the occupiers are turning to the tactics of intensified assaults.