Analysis & Reports

AI-assisted analysis of military-related information from public sources

Ukrainian Counteroffensive in Southern Ukraine Disrupts Russian Spring Campaign Plans

Military OperationsForce MovementLogisticsHybrid

Ukrainian forces achieved significant territorial gains, liberating over 400 square kilometers in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast since late January 2026. The counteroffensive disrupted Russian spring-summer offensive plans, forcing the redeployment of elite units. Ukrainian forces advanced 12 kilometers into Russian positions, while Western military support included the delivery of PAC-3 Patriot missiles. Russian casualties are reported at 1.315 million since the invasion began.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovWed Mar 11 2026
Russia's Force Expansion and Operational Pivots: Strategic Realignments in March 2026

Russia's Force Expansion and Operational Pivots: Strategic Realignments in March 2026

Force MovementMilitary OperationsLogisticsHybrid

In March 2026, Russia expanded its military personnel to 2,391,770 and redeployed units to the Hulyaipole direction in response to Ukrainian advances. Ukrainian forces liberated 244 square kilometers while conducting deep-strike operations against Russian logistics. The conflict continues to evolve, with NATO enhancing its military readiness along its eastern flank.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovWed Mar 11 2026

Russia's Spring Offensive Stalls as Ukrainian Counterattacks Disrupt Moscow's Timeline

Military OperationsForce MovementLogisticsHybrid

The Russian military's planned spring offensive has stalled as Ukrainian forces continue to reclaim territory, with significant redeployments of Russian units from Donetsk to southern Ukraine. President Putin's recent decree increased military personnel to 2,391,770, reflecting ongoing challenges in sustaining force levels. Ukrainian operations have liberated 244 square kilometers since January 2026, while Russian forces face communication disruptions and logistical challenges, forcing a reactive posture.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovTue Mar 10 2026
Chokepoint Under Fire: Risk Assessment of the 2026 Strait of Hormuz Crisis

Chokepoint Under Fire: Risk Assessment of the 2026 Strait of Hormuz Crisis

Military OperationsLogisticsStrategic AssessmentHybrid

On February 28, 2026, the US and Israel conducted airstrikes against Iran, prompting the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to close the Strait of Hormuz. By March 2, all shipping traffic was halted, leading to over 150 vessels anchoring outside the strait and a spike in Brent crude prices to $89 per barrel. The closure was primarily enforced through drone threats and insurance market reactions, resulting in an 80% drop in seaborne traffic.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovFri Mar 06 2026
Russia's Offensive Momentum Stalls: Strategic Implications of February 2026's Battlefield Dynamics

Russia's Offensive Momentum Stalls: Strategic Implications of February 2026's Battlefield Dynamics

Military OperationsLogisticsWeapons & EquipmentHybrid

Russian military operations in Ukraine have significantly slowed, with only 123 square kilometers gained in February 2026. Ukrainian forces counterattacked successfully, gaining over 170 square kilometers, particularly in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Disruption of Starlink terminal access has hindered Russian communications, while Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted Russian military infrastructure. The shift in Russian strategy focuses on logistics interdiction rather than rapid territorial gains.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovFri Mar 06 2026

Ukraine's February Reversal: Territorial Gains Shift Momentum Amid Russia's Strategic Recalibration

Military OperationsForce MovementLogisticsHybrid

Ukrainian forces captured approximately 300 square kilometers of territory in February 2026, marking a significant counteroffensive against Russian advances. This operation primarily occurred in the southern front, particularly between Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts. Despite these gains, Russian forces continue to threaten areas in Donetsk Oblast, and intercepted documents reveal Russia's long-term military objectives to seize additional territories, including Odesa Oblast.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovThu Mar 05 2026
Russia's Spring 2026 Offensive Stalls: Moscow Records Slowest Advance Since 2024 Amid Starlink Disruption and Ukrainian Counteroffensives

Russia's Spring 2026 Offensive Stalls: Moscow Records Slowest Advance Since 2024 Amid Starlink Disruption and Ukrainian Counteroffensives

Military OperationsLogisticsOperational

Russian military advances in Ukraine slowed dramatically in February 2026, with only 123 square kilometers gained. Ukrainian forces executed successful counteroffensives, reclaiming significant territory, particularly in Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhia Oblasts. The disruption of Starlink communications severely impacted Russian tactical operations, while Ukraine demonstrated its deep-strike capabilities with an attack on a key oil terminal. Despite these setbacks, Russian forces continue to advance toward strategic urban centers.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovWed Mar 04 2026
Russia's Evolving Military Strategy: Sustained Operations Through 2026 and Implications for European Security

Russia's Evolving Military Strategy: Sustained Operations Through 2026 and Implications for European Security

Military OperationsWeapons & EquipmentLogisticsHybrid

Russia is shifting its long-range strike campaign towards logistics and water infrastructure as of March 2026. Ukrainian forces have conducted successful mid-range strikes against Russian air defense systems, while Russia has made incremental territorial gains in eastern Ukraine. The Russian Army is preparing for sustained military operations through 2026, supported by significant investments in modernized equipment, including over 2,000 tanks and advanced submarines. NATO is reinforcing its eastern defenses in response to these developments.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovTue Mar 03 2026

Russia's War Machine Grinds On: Military Sustainability and Evolving Doctrine in 2026

Military OperationsCasualties & LossesLogisticsHybrid

Russia continues its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2026, recruiting 30,000 to 35,000 personnel monthly while facing significant casualties exceeding 1.2 million since February 2022. The Kremlin has increased defense spending to at least $186 billion in 2025, adapting military strategies to sustain operations across multiple fronts, including Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhia. Despite demographic challenges, Russian forces are enhancing their capabilities with all-terrain vehicles and sleeper drones.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovMon Mar 02 2026

Attrition and Adaptation: The Russia-Ukraine War at the Four-Year Mark

Casualties & LossesMilitary OperationsLogisticsHybrid

Ukrainian forces advanced in the Dobropillya tactical area while Russian forces made incremental gains in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka corridor as of March 1, 2026. Total Russian casualties since the invasion reached approximately 1,266,770, with 870 reported in the last 24 hours. Russia's artillery production has surged to about 7 million shells annually, reflecting its war economy's growth. EU military aid to Ukraine increased by 67 percent in 2025.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovMon Mar 02 2026
Russian Spring Offensive Preparations Meet Mounting Casualties: Assessing Moscow's Strategic Dilemma in Eastern Ukraine

Russian Spring Offensive Preparations Meet Mounting Casualties: Assessing Moscow's Strategic Dilemma in Eastern Ukraine

Military OperationsCasualties & LossesLogisticsHybrid

Russian forces are preparing for a major spring offensive against Ukraine's Fortress Belt, conducting artillery and drone operations in February 2026. However, they face significant personnel losses, with battlefield casualties exceeding recruitment targets for the first time since the invasion began. Ukrainian forces have demonstrated resilience, launching successful counterattacks and maintaining control over key positions despite Russian pressure. The situation is further complicated by logistical challenges and reliance on foreign fighters.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovSat Feb 28 2026

Strategic Fracture: How the US-Israel Strike on Iran Reshapes the Moscow-Tehran Axis and the Ukrainian Battlefield

Military OperationsLogisticsOperational

On February 28, 2026, US and Israeli forces conducted joint airstrikes against Iranian military infrastructure in Tehran, targeting regime facilities and officials. This operation threatens Iran's ability to supply drones to Russia, impacting the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Russia condemned the strikes but is unlikely to intervene militarily, while China expressed support for Iran without direct military involvement.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovSat Feb 28 2026

Russia's Fifth Year of War: Ukrainian Counteroffensives Challenge Moscow's Narrative of Inevitable Victory

Military OperationsForce MovementLogisticsHybrid

Ukrainian forces executed successful counteroffensives, liberating approximately 183 square kilometers in the Kupyansk area and gaining 165 square kilometers in Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhia oblasts between mid-December 2025 and late February 2026. Russia's military faces increasing vulnerabilities, with casualty rates surpassing recruitment for the first time since 2022, while the Kremlin continues to allocate significant resources to sustain its war effort. Ukraine has also strengthened defense industrial cooperation with European partners.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovFri Feb 27 2026
Russia's Fifth Year of War: Mounting Pressures and Unfulfilled Objectives

Russia's Fifth Year of War: Mounting Pressures and Unfulfilled Objectives

Military OperationsCasualties & LossesLogisticsHybrid

Ukrainian forces achieved significant territorial gains in February 2026, liberating around 200 square kilometers and disrupting Russian military preparations. Russia's casualty rate exceeded its recruitment rate for the first time, with approximately 35,000 casualties reported in December 2025. The ongoing conflict has strained Russia's military and economy, as evidenced by the Kremlin's increased defense spending and deteriorating recruitment quality.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovThu Feb 26 2026
Four Years of War: Divergent Trajectories on Ukraine's Eastern Front

Four Years of War: Divergent Trajectories on Ukraine's Eastern Front

Military OperationsCasualties & LossesLogisticsHybrid

Ukrainian forces recaptured approximately 400 square kilometers of territory in a counteroffensive, while Russian forces conducted large-scale attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure. Russian casualties exceeded 186,000, with significant losses reported in the Novopavlivka sector. The conflict remains characterized by operational stalemate, with both sides sustaining heavy casualties and ongoing military operations across multiple fronts.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovMon Feb 23 2026
Ukraine's Strategic Counteroffensive Gains Momentum as Russian Offensive Tempo Slows

Ukraine's Strategic Counteroffensive Gains Momentum as Russian Offensive Tempo Slows

Military OperationsWeapons & EquipmentLogisticsHybrid

Ukrainian forces have transitioned to a counteroffensive in southern Zaporizhzhia Oblast, liberating 168.9 square kilometers since January 1, 2026. They executed a precision strike on the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant in Russia, demonstrating enhanced deep-strike capabilities. Meanwhile, Russian territorial gains have significantly slowed, reflecting attrition and improved Ukrainian defenses. The evolving military landscape indicates a shift in operational dynamics as Ukraine adapts its strategies.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovMon Feb 23 2026

European Machines at Factory No. 9 — How Russia Overcomes the Main Bottleneck of Its Defense Industry

LogisticsOperational

Russia is modernizing Factory No. 9 in Yekaterinburg by acquiring 22 industrial machines from Europe and Taiwan to enhance its artillery production capabilities. This effort aims to increase the output of artillery barrels and components for the Coalition system, addressing a critical shortfall in military production. The reliance on foreign technology underscores vulnerabilities in Russia's defense industry amid ongoing sanctions.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovSat Feb 14 2026