Russian forces are advancing at their fastest rate in Ukraine since the beginning of the war according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
The highly respected American think tank has shared ominous mapping on its X account which shows the Russians making significant gains around the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a long-time strategic target.
According to a Russian news group, Russian forces have taken almost 235sqkm of Ukrainian territory over the past week.
If true, this would represent a weekly record for a calendar year.
The gains come following months of Russian offensive operations in the area, which has incurred daily losses of 1,200 soldiers.
The ISW said: « Russian forces recently have been advancing at a significantly quicker rate than they did in the entirety of 2023. »
The area is deemed important to Moscow as it plays a vital role in supplying Ukrainian defensive positions on the front line.
The conflict is believed to be entering a decisive phase, with the shadow of an incoming Donald Trump presidency and brutal winter at the forefront of military planners minds.
The president-elect has vowed to end the conflict on day one of coming into office, making the seizure and holding of land vital on both sides to strengthen their hands at any potential negotiation.
The Donetsk region has an average temperature close to 0C at this time of winter, making living and fighting conditions extremely difficult.
Russian operational strategy has recently intensified focus on Ukraine’s energy sector in an attempt to disrupt civilian life and limit the armed forces’ access to power.
In recent months, Russia has conducted several drone and missile attacks against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Last week, one of the largest such strikes of the war so far by the Russians targeted « power generation and transmission facilities throughout Ukraine » according to Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko.
The strikes did not hit the three operational nuclear power plants still under government control, but did strike sub-stations that the plant relies on.
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