Russia’s offensive slows sharply across the front, ISW says
Photo: Russia has sharply slowed the pace of its offensive on the front lines (Getty Images)
The pace of the Russian troops’ advance in March 2026 significantly slowed, reaching the lowest levels since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine, according to a report from the Institute for the Study of War.
According to analysts, in March, Russian forces captured only 23 square kilometers of territory, a sharp drop compared to previous months. In January, Russia advanced by 319 square kilometers, and in February by 123 square kilometers.
Such a low result has not been recorded at least since September 2023.
Experts explain this situation by several factors. One of the main ones is local counteroffensive actions by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the southeast, which led to the loss of Russian positions in certain sections of the front.
Factors affecting the slowdown in pressure also include internal limitations within Russia itself. This refers to disruptions in the use of Starlink satellite communications and restrictions on 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 segment of the front, in the area between the Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
Situation on the front line
British intelligence assessed the situation on the front as the best for Ukraine in 10 months.
At the same time, an increase in Russian assaults has recently been recorded on the front. This is explained by the weather, as fog and rain allow the Russians to advance unnoticed.
Ukrainian intelligence is recording a buildup of enemy forces in two key directions, Pokrovsk and Huliaipole.
The large-scale offensive that Russia had planned for March was disrupted by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Now they are switching to tactics of intensified assault actions.
