Stalled 2026 Russian Offensive Shows Dwindling Gains, ISW Finds
ISW’s June 1, 2026 assessment shows the Russian spring–summer offensive stalled: Russian infiltrations totaled about 40.6 square kilometers Dec 2025–May 2026, while territory under Russian control shrank by roughly 281 square kilometers; overall 2026 gains are only about 7.9% of 2025’s pace. The battlefield remains interspersed and difficult to quantify. Putin is reportedly resisting defense-spending cuts despite economic warnings, while Ukrainian drone strikes and mid‑range actions hinder Russian rotations; Ukrainian forces advanced in the Pokrovsk direction and continue striking Russian logistics and oil infrastructure.