ISW: Russia Failing to Make Advances on Most Fronts

Russian troops continue offensive operations along certain fronts, but have failed to secure confirmed advances across most directions, according to a new report from the U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The institute's analysts observed that while Russia has spent years optimizing its military for positional warfare rather than maneuver warfare, Ukraine's adaptive strategies and counter-measures are considerably slowing Russia's progress in 2026. This marks a significant difference compared to previous years of the conflict. The ISW's assessment suggests that Ukraine's evolving tactics are effectively blunting the momentum of Russian offensives, even as Moscow continues its efforts to gain ground. The report implies that Russia's military doctrine, focused on static positions, may be less effective against a more agile and responsive Ukrainian defense.