When U.S.-supported negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Geneva concluded without a breakthrough, Kyiv secured gains on the battlefield—regaining territory at its fastest pace in years through targeted counterattacks along the southeastern frontline.
These advances coincide with analysts highlighting disruptions in Russian battlefield communications and shifting operational dynamics, developments that could strengthen Ukraine’s bargaining power even as talks remain stalled.
Ukrainian forces reclaimed approximately 78 square miles over five days, according to an Agence France-Presse report based on an analysis of the . The gains mark Kyiv’s most rapid territorial progress since its 2023 counteroffensive in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Richard Newton emphasized that Ukraine’s battlefield performance should not be undervalued. “As this war drags on, the world too often overlooks that Ukraine’s resolve, innovation, and moral clarity act as force multipliers. Its ability to defend against a larger, better-resourced adversary should never be dismissed,” Newton told Digital. “There are growing signs that Russia’s supposed invincibility is no longer a safe assumption—especially as pressure mounts on the Kremlin and its partners.”
Fighting has focused east of Zaporizhzhia, where have steadily advanced since mid-2025. Open-source battlefield monitoring and mapping indicate Ukrainian troops pushed forward near Huliaipole and adjacent settlements, though analysts caution the frontline remains fluid and some areas are not fully secured, .
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assessed in mid-February that the counterattacks appear to exploit gaps in Russian command-and-control systems. ISW noted Ukrainian forces are likely leveraging limitations on Russian battlefield communications—including reported restrictions tied to Starlink satellite terminal usage and messaging platforms cited in open-source reports.
Analysts explain that reduced connectivity can create brief windows for Ukrainian units to move through contested zones typically dominated by and electronic warfare. ISW and other observers stress these opportunities are temporary and do not signal a broader collapse of Russian defenses.
The evolving conflict is also shaped by the growing role of drones. In a report, ISW stated Russia’s expanded use of first-person-view drones reflects a campaign to “weaponize and institutionalize intentional civilian harm as a deliberate war tool,” warning the tactic is becoming embedded in operational doctrine and could influence future conflicts.
Despite recent gains, analysts urge against framing these developments as a decisive shift in the war. Newton argued sustained Western military support remains essential. “Putin responds to strength,” he said. “The United States and Europe should continue providing Ukraine with both defensive and offensive capabilities—including long-range systems capable of striking deep inside Russia.”
Retired Vice Adm. Robert S. Harward noted battlefield gains are increasingly tied to diplomacy. “Both sides are using battlefield progress to bolster their positions at the negotiating table,” Harward said. “This signals neither side is ready to strike a deal yet.”
Harward pointed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s stated willingness to hold elections after a ceasefire as evidence Kyiv is showing flexibility, while Moscow continues to press its demands. “If a lasting, fair diplomatic agreement is achievable, the current U.S. team is well-positioned to help deliver it,” he said. “But negotiations must be paired with sustained pressure on Russia and its partners.”
Nearly two years after Ukraine’s last major offensive stalled, the war remains defined by incremental territorial changes rather than sweeping breakthroughs. Both sides continue to rely heavily on drones, artillery, and electronic warfare, with frontlines shifting village by village.
“As U.S.-led talks continue, it is critical to increase pressure on Putin to end the war on terms that restore deterrence and prevent further aggression,” Newton said.