Ukraine has Recaptured Territory at its Fastest Pace in nearly Three years, Data Show. The Country Gained 78 sq miles in Five Days between Wednesday and Sunday, which was Equal to Russia’s Advances for the entire Month of December, according to an AFP News Hub Analysis, of Data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). It is thought to be the Most Land Retaken by Kyiv in such a Narrow Window since its Counter-Offensive in June 2023, which Saw Fierce Clashes in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia Regions.
The Gains followed Disarray in Russian Battlefield Communications caused by Units having their Access to Starlink Satellite Internet Terminals, Rescinded after a Deal Brokered by Ukraine’s Defence Ministry and Elon Musk, the Chief Executive of StarLink. Nearly 90% of Russian Units were said to have Lost Connectivity after the Network was Restricted to Verified, Whitelisted Terminals known to be in Ukrainian Hands. Russian Drones were using Starlink to Circumvent Electronic Jamming Systems and Hit their Targets with Precision, as well as to Co-Ordinate Movements.
The ISW said: “These Ukrainian counter-attacks are likely leveraging the recent block on Russian forces’ access to Starlink, which Russian milbloggers have claimed is causing communications and command and control issues on the battlefield.” The Advances are concentrated around 50 miles East of Zaporizhzhia in Southeastern Ukraine, where Russian Forces have Pressed Forward Steadily since the Summer of 2025. The Communications Blackout Grounded Drones and Allowed Troops to Advance through the Grey Zone in Armoured Vehicles, a Rarity as they are usually Vulnerable to Heavy Strike Drones and First-Person View Loitering Munitions, according to David Axe, a U.S. Military Analyst.
However, various Analysts Cautioned against Viewing the Gains as a Sign that Kyiv has Clinched the Upper Hand on the Battlefield. On Monday, the Independent Oopen-Source Intelligence Group DeepState, Reported that Ukrainian Ttroops had made Gains in Huliaipole and Surrounding areas, yet Cautioned that the Front remains Fluid and that the Captured Villages are Not Fully Secured. The miles-long “Grey Zone”, which separates Ukrainian and Russian Lines in the South-East, has made Advances on either side, that are Harder to Map and their Significance Harder to Measure.
Ukraine concentrates Artillery, Logistics, and most of its Forces Six to 12 miles behind Russian Positions, often Behind Obstacle Lines and Rivers, whereas Russia sends as many Troops Forward as possible, to Harass and Infiltrate Ukrainian Ppositions. Clement Molin, a French Military Analyst, said: “The result of this situation is that the grey zone and Russian forward positions are not consolidated, which occasionally allows the Ukrainians, as is currently the case, to push forward and regain ground.”
Despite this, Kyiv will probably be Hoping that News of the Gains will Bolster its Position in Trilateral Talks in Geneva this Week, after Trump (R) told Reporters that “Ukraine better come to the table, fast”. It Marks the First time that the Talks have been held in Europe, a Decision that was Reportedly pushed by Washington. Steve Witkoff (R) and Jared Kushner (R), both White House Envoys, are expected to Lead Negotiations between the Delegations from Kyiv and Moscow.
Concern was Prompted in Ukraine, after Russia’s Decision to Replace Igor Kostyukov, the Director of Russia’s Military Intelligence Organisation GRU, who Led Recent Rounds of Discussions in Abu Dhabi, with Vladimir Medinsky, a Hawkish Kremlin Aide, who was previously Criticised for Derailing Talks in Istanbul last year. In an Interview last month, Andriy Sybiha, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, said Ukraine was making more Progress with Moscow’s New Delegation, explaining: “There were no more pseudo-historical lectures. The talks were very focused.”
Explaining its Decision to Recall Medinsky to the Table, a Kremlin Spokesman said that Talks this Week would Focus on Territory rather than Military Matters. The Kremlin has continued to Insist that the War will Not End until Ukraine Cedes Portions of the Eastern Donetsk Region still under its Control, roughly 2,000 sq miles of Fortified Land.
Last year, Medinsky told Kyiv’s Negotiators that Russia was Ready-to-fight “Forever” to Achieve its Goals, citing Peter the Great’s 21-year War against Sweden. On 2/24/2026, the Full-Scale War will Grind into its Fifth Year. Before the Talks, Moscow and Kyiv continued to Trade Strikes. Moscow launched almost 400 Drones and 29 Missiles at Ukraine Overnight, according to Zelensky, Ukraine Attacked an Oil Refinery and a Chemical Plant Deep in Russian Soil, according to Local Reports.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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