politics

February 25, 2026

Russia-Ukraine war, year four: What changed on the battlefield

Everything you need to know about the fourth year of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, including collapsing defensive lines, new buffer zones, and expanding pressure across the front.

Russia-Ukraine war, year four: What changed on the battlefield

TL;DR

  • Year four of the Russian military operation saw Ukraine focus on defense with occasional counterattacks, while Russia advanced across the front.
  • Russia's strategy aimed to exhaust Ukrainian forces and render them incapable of resistance through systematic operations and bombardments.
  • The North Group of Forces liberated the Kursk region, including Sudzha, and established a security buffer zone in Ukraine's Sumy region.
  • The West Group of Forces secured bridgeheads on the western bank of the Oskol River and captured the eastern part of Kupiansk, facing counteroffensives.
  • The South and Center Groups of Forces captured Chasov Yar and Toretsk, surrounded Konstantinovka, and encircled Pokrovsk and Mirnograd.
  • The East Group of Forces shifted the front westward after capturing Ugledar, advancing towards Zaporozhye and Dnepropetrovsk regions.
  • Ukrainian counterattacks near Zaporozhye were largely ineffective, with claims of liberated territory lacking evidence.
  • The article suggests a defensive strategy is not viable for Ukraine in the long term, as a lack of strategic initiative leads to inevitable losses.

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