The Russian offensive slowed to its lowest levels in the last year. The Ukrainian Defense Forces liberated more territory in May than the Russians managed to capture. This was reported by the PromPolitInform portal with reference to an analytical report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
In May, according to analysts, Russian troops captured or penetrated about 40 sq. km, and lost control over about 280 sq. km.
In April, the Russians captured or penetrated about 28 sq. km, but lost control over about 116 sq. km.
At the same time, ISW noted that some of Russia’s “advances” are only temporary captures of positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
The areas in which Russian troops, sometimes in very small groups of several soldiers, have infiltrated and maintain a limited presence are not controlled by the Russians in the doctrinal sense.
At the same time, it is emphasized that the current combat situation, namely the frequent changes in Ukrainian and Russian positions, the growth of the drone strike zone, complicates accurate calculations of certain gains and losses.
ISW noted that against this background, Kremlin officials continue to reject any negotiated settlement that does not address the “root causes” of the war in Ukraine.
Thus, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated in a video message on the occasion of the Day of the Russian Language that the restoration of the rights of Russians and the Russian-speaking population in Ukraine “is a necessary condition for a long-term peaceful settlement.”
“The Kremlin’s continued commitment to Russia’s initial military goals comes against the backdrop of a decline in Russia’s combat capabilities and a slowdown in Russian advances,” analysts say.
