Russian forces recently advanced in seven frontline areas, a think tank has observed.
The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW), said on Monday that gains were made in the Russian border region of Belgorod; near the cities of Siversk, Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Velyka Novosilka in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region; and in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region.
Why It Matters
Both Ukraine and Russia are striving to secure battlefield advantages amid faltering peace efforts led by the U.S, and Ukraine is bracing for a new Russian spring offensive.
What To Know
In its latest assessment, the ISW, citing geolocated footage, reported that Russian forces have recently advanced in several key locations: central Demidovka, northwest of Belgorod City; north of Verkhnokamyanske (east of Siversk); in the Toretsk and Pokrovsk directions; in the Velyka Novosilka direction; and in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Russian troops are deploying new tactics to make advances in the conflict, according to Ukraine’s military.
Victor Tregubov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Khortytsia group of forces told the Kyiv Independent on March 31 that Russian troops attempted to bypass Ukrainian positions in Toretsk by going underground.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing to launch a fresh offensive. Zelensky noted that this offensive had been delayed for eight months, partly due to Kyiv’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, which borders Ukraine.
The situation on the ground changed significantly in March, when Russian troops almost completely expelled Ukrainian forces from the region.
“We must look at the situation with our eyes wide-open. Putin is preparing a new offensive, particularly in Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts,” Zelensky said in an interview with Le Figaro published March 26.
“I can confirm that Putin is trying to get time and is preparing for a spring offensive. We see preparations for this upcoming operation,” the president added.
U.S. Repositions Pro-Kyiv Logistics Hub Inside Poland
The U.S. military will move troops and equipment from the a key logistics hub on the Polish-Ukrainian border, to other sites in the country, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa said in a press release.
“This transition is part of a broader strategy to optimize U.S. military operations, improving the level of support to Allies and partners while also enhancing efficiencies,” the press release said.
The matter was “discussed at the alliance level,” Polish President Andrzej Duda told reporters, referring to NATO.
“The important work of facilitating military aid to Ukraine via Jasionka will continue under Polish and NATO leadership, supported by a streamlined U.S. military footprint,” the U.S. Army Europe and Africa said. “Poland and its allies will maintain the robust protective infrastructure around this critical site.”
5 Million Russians to ‘Repopulate’ Occupied Land
Russia intends to facilitate the resettlement of more than five million Russians in Ukraine’s occupied territories by 2030, said adviser to the Mayor of Mariupol, Petro Andryushchenko, on his Telegram channel.
He said the matter was discussed by Russian officials on April 4 during a forum called “Integration-2025,” held in Rostov-on-Don.
Russia has long sought to justify to the international community its September 2022 annexations of Ukraine’s Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, and has demanded that Ukraine cede the territories as part of a peace deal.
Newsweek couldn’t independently verify the claim.
What Happens Next
Talks are currently underway between the U.S, Russia, and Ukraine, to potentially bring an end to the conflict.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin meets with Russia’s Minister of Culture in Moscow on April 4, 2025.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin meets with Russia’s Minister of Culture in Moscow on April 4, 2025.
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