Russian Gains Stagnate as Ukrainian Strikes Target Key Logistics Amidst Slowing Offensive
Russia's territorial gains in Ukraine slow to 46 square miles over 10 months as Ukrainian strikes on critical transport bridges disrupt military supply lines.
POLICY WIRE — Moscow, Russia — The Institute for the Study of War released its latest assessment on November 8, 2026, highlighting a significant decline in the pace of the Russian military offensive. Despite ten months of intense fighting, Russia has managed to secure only 46 square miles of Ukrainian territory.
Data from the ongoing conflict indicates that the Russian military has captured a total of just 119 square kilometers of Ukrainian land throughout the current calendar year. This dwindling territorial momentum coincides with reports suggesting that Russian diesel supplies are struggling to find buyers or markets.
On the tactical front, Ukrainian forces are increasingly targeting critical infrastructure to hinder movement. A Russian military blogger commented on recent Ukrainian strikes against a bridge located on the M-14 Rostov-Crimea highway in the Rostov Oblast. The blogger noted that the expanding scope of Ukrainian interdiction operations is creating severe complications for Russian logistics.
The diplomatic landscape remains equally fractured, as Russia has once again rejected proposals for security guarantees for Ukraine and refused to include European nations in any potential peace negotiations. Analysts suggest that President Vladimir Putin may have utilized a September 8 telephone conversation with President Donald Trump to promote a distorted narrative regarding the actual state of the battlefield.
Despite the broader slowdown, Russian troops have achieved localized advances. Recent movements have been reported forward in Kostyantynivka and within the western region of the Zaporizhia Oblast.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)em>
