ISW: Russian forces advance in eastern Ukraine; Ukrainian defenses hold in south

Ukrainian forces have achieved recent tactical gains, but the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assesses Russia is preparing a large winter offensive. Russian forces are making incremental gains in eastern Ukraine, while Ukrainian defenses hold in the south, indicating sustained attritional fighting. The scale and timing of the anticipated Russian offensive remain uncertain.

Russian forces continue incremental offensive operations in eastern Ukraine, particularly in Donetsk Oblast and near Pokrovsk, as confirmed by ISW. Ukrainian forces are maintaining defensive lines in the south and are reportedly conducting a slow counteroffensive to recapture territory. The overall front-line dynamics remain largely static, characterized by attritional warfare with no major breakthroughs by either side.