ISW report

Russia likely shifting focus to Toretsk as offensive stalls near Pokrovsk

Russian forces have shifted units from the Kurakhove and Zaporizhzhya directions to the Toretsk axis, signaling a possible change in strategic priorities, while pro-Kremlin bloggers report fresh Ukrainian attacks near Tyotkino in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, the Institute for the Study of War said in an assessment published on May 5.

6 May 2025, 10:57 AM

Putin’s rhetoric shows no shift toward peace or de-escalation - ISW

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is unwilling to slow down offensive and insisted on conditions tantamount to Ukraine’s full capitulation in an interview with Kremlin propagandist Pavel Zarubin, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote on May 4.

5 May 2025, 10:09 AM

Russia’s 2025 advance slows, but losses remain steep — ISW

Russia’s offensive on the front line has slowed over the first four months of 2025, even as the scale of its battlefield losses remains high. On average, Russia is losing 99 soldiers—killed or wounded—for every kilometer of Ukrainian territory it captures, according to a May 2 update from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

3 May 2025, 10:35 AM

Ukraine pushes forward in Kursk Oblast and Toretsk, as Russia intensifies pressure near Lyman - ISW

Ukraine’s Defense Forces have made advances in Russia’s Kursk Oblast and near Toretsk in Donetsk Oblast, Russia claimed advance near Lyman and in the Toretsk direction, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote on April 30.

1 May 2025, 09:15 AM

Ukrainian and Russian drones turn battles into long-range confrontations — ISW

The active use of drones by both Ukrainian forces and Russian troops has expanded the gray zones and battle areas along the front line, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on April 27.

28 April 2025, 12:11 PM

Russian forces preparing motorcycle assaults to outmaneuver Ukrainian drones, expert says

Russian forces are preparing a new tactic for their summer and fall offensives, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) forecast. According to the report, Moscow plans to systematically integrate the use of motorcycles into its war against Ukraine to "offset" the effectiveness of Ukrainian drone operators. Military expert and founder of the Reactive Post volunteer organization, Pavlo Narozhny, explained the potential dangers of this new tactic during an interview with Radio NV.

28 April 2025, 11:47 AM

Russia seizes four villages in Sumy Oblast — ISW

Russian occupation forces continue ground attacks in Sumy Oblast, attempting to create buffer zones and bring the city of Sumy within artillery range, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote on April 26.

27 April 2025, 12:51 PM

Russian occupiers preparing new offensive tactics for summer and fall — ISW

Russian occupiers are preparing to systematically use motorcycles in their war against Ukraine to “compensate” for the skills of Ukrainian drone operators, according to an April 26 report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

27 April 2025, 11:52 AM

Russia steps up propaganda to pave way for aggression against Europe — ISW

Russian officials are intensifying narratives once used to justify the invasion of Ukraine to prepare for possible aggression against European states and influence Europe’s defense policies, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on April 25.

26 April 2025, 10:38 AM

Russia turns up the heat under Trump, lays groundwork for next invasion — ISW

Russian forces have likely adapted their long-range strikes to inflict greater damage on Ukraine despite air defenses, the Institute for the Study of War reported on April 24, citing a massive missile attack on Kyiv and new statements from Sergei Shoigu and Dmitry Peskov that point to Moscow’s preparations to violate any future peace deal and re-invade from stronger positions.

25 April 2025, 10:56 AM

Trump’s peace plan contradicts earlier US strategy

The Trump administration’s seven-point peace plan for Ukraine, recognizing Crimea as Russian, marks a sudden shift from its prior ceasefire-focused strategy, the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War reported on April 23.

24 April 2025, 04:55 PM

ISW: Putin’s ‘Easter ceasefire’ unlikely to last, Russia preparing propaganda push against Ukraine

The “ceasefire” declared by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is unlikely to hold, as Russian forces launched assaults and shelling across the front line within hours of the announcement, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in its April 19 report.

20 April 2025, 03:22 PM

Russia eyes new wave of strikes on Ukraine after 'energy ceasefire' ends - ISW

The aggressor state Russia may soon announce its unofficial ceasefire on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and resume long-range strikes, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on April 15.

16 April 2025, 11:15 AM

Russian forces increasing use of armored vehicles along front line — ISW

Russian forces appear to be stepping up their use of armored vehicles across the entire combat theater, according to an April 14 assessment from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

15 April 2025, 10:12 AM

Ukrainian forces advance near Siversk and Toretsk — ISW

Ukraine’s Defense Forces made some progress near Siversk and Toretsk (Donetsk Oblast), advancing along those sectors of the front line, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote on April 14.

15 April 2025, 08:11 AM

Russia experimenting with Shahed drone tactics to strain Ukraine’s air defenses — ISW

Russia’s military is adjusting its use of Shahed-type kamikaze drones in a bid to wear down Ukraine’s air defenses, according to an April 12 assessment from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Analysts said that by late March and early April 2025, Russian forces had returned to a more familiar pattern of drone strikes.

13 April 2025, 12:24 PM

Russia launches advance on Sumy Oblast to build buffer zone and pressure the city — ISW

Russia is likely aiming to establish a so-called “buffer zone” along Ukraine's northeastern border, may seek to place artillery within range of Sumy city, finally making it uninhabitable, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote on April 9.

10 April 2025, 11:07 AM

Putin signals long war strategy as Russian forces push to capture Donetsk Oblast

Despite its staggering losses, Russian troops continue attempting to encircle the city of Pokrvsk (Donetsk Oblast) from the east and west at any cost, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote on April 8.

9 April 2025, 10:29 AM

Kremlin revives old narrative about Ukrainian President 'illegitimacy' — ISW

After a brief pause following his Feb. 12 call with Donald Trump, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has resumed pushing false claims about the “illegitimacy” of Ukraine’s leadership, the Institute for the Study of War’s (ISW) wrote on April 7.

8 April 2025, 10:00 AM

Ukraine slows Russian advance fivefold since fall — ISW

The speed of Russia’s military advance in Ukraine has been steadily declining since November 2024, partially due to successful Ukrainian counterattacks in the east, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote on April 6.

7 April 2025, 10:12 AM

ISW report

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