Ukrainian gains on southern front put Russian command in deadlock – ISW

This is according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukrinform reports.

Analysts say that the Ukrainian defensive line along the Kinska River that runs through Orikhiv to the northwest south of Zaporizhzhia City, and the recent Ukrainian advances in the Oleksandrivka sector that are diverting Russian forces from efforts against Orikhiv from the east both hinder a Russian seizure of Orikhiv.

This is further complicated by the fact that Russian troops are simultaneously conducting offensive operations along the so-called "fortress belt," near Dobropillia and Kupiansk, while also attempting to establish a "buffer zone" in the northern parts of the Kharkiv and Sumy regions.

ISW analysts had previously noted that an offensive toward Dobropillia would require Russia to redeploy units currently engaged against Ukraine's "fortress belt" in the Donetsk region, as Moscow lacks the time to bring in fresh forces to that axis.

"The competing dilemmas that Ukraine has imposed on the Russian military command have likely disrupted Russian preparations for their Spring-Summer 2026 offensive," the ISW report said.

Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine had thwarted a major offensive operation that Russia planned to launch late last year and continue this spring.

Photo: Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces / Telegram