Russian Military Performance Declines as Ukrainian Advances Continue Different sources continue to conclude that the Russian military’s performance is declining, despite utilizing differing mapping methodologies to visualize the battlefield situation. Ukrainian defense source Militarnyi, citing its sources within the Ukrainian military, reported on June 6 that Ukrainian forces liberated more territory in May 2026 than Russian forces seized. Militarnyi’s sources reported that Ukrainian forces “restored control of” or eliminated Russian infiltrators in about 250 square kilometers in May 2026 while Russian forces seized only 130 square kilometers in the same period. The source also noted that Ukrainian forces liberated or cleared about 80 square kilometers in April 2026, while Russian forces seized between 150 to 160 square kilometers. Recent calculations from Militarnyi and other sources, including those linked with Ukrainian military intelligence, differ from ISW’s due to methodological differences but still point to Russia’s declining rate of advance and increased Ukrainian gains. ISW assessed that Russian forces seized or infiltrated about 40 square kilometers in May 2026, but its calculations, excluding Russia’s infiltration areas, found that Russian forces lost control of about 280 square kilometers. In April 2026, ISW assessed that Russian forces seized or infiltrated about 28 square kilometers but lost control of approximately 116 square kilometers. ISW’s infiltration layer highlights areas where Russian forces, often small groups of a few soldiers, have infiltrated and maintain limited presence without full control.#st_petersburg #russian_military #ukraine_military #militarnyi #spief
Russian Military Cooperation with Iran and Ukrainian Advances in Southern Ukraine Russia is intensifying its military collaboration with Iran to support Iranian strikes against U.S. and Israeli forces in the Middle East. According to a report by the Financial Times on March 25, Western intelligence sources indicate that Russia is nearing completion of a phased shipment of unspecified drones, medical supplies, and food to Iran. Officials briefed on the intelligence revealed that discussions about drone deliveries began shortly after the U.S.-Israeli campaign started, with initial shipments processed in early March. These officials expect the deliveries to be finalized by the end of March. While the specific drone model sent to Iran remains unclear, it is likely to be the Geran-2, as Russia has reportedly already provided modified Shahed drone components and satellite imagery to aid Iranian attacks on U.S. forces and allies in the region. Russia has denied Iran’s request for S-400 air defense systems, emphasizing its strategic focus on weakening the United States, which it has identified as a primary geopolitical adversary. Ukrainian counteroffensives in southern Ukraine are gaining momentum, creating challenges for Russian forces preparing for the Spring-Summer 2026 offensive against the Fortress Belt. On March 26, the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces Command reported that Ukrainian troops had liberated Berezove, a town southeast of Oleksandrivka, eliminating a Russian salient. Since late January 2026, Ukrainian forces have made significant tactical gains, reclaiming more territory than Russian forces seized in February. Officials noted that Ukrainian troops have liberated over 400 square kilometers in the Oleksandrivka and Hulyaipole regions between late January and mid-March 2026.#iran #ukraine #financial_times #russian_military #donetsk_oblast
