Russia seizes positions in Zaporizhzhia region, recaptured by Ukraine during summer counteroffensive - ISW

This was reported by the Institute for the Study of War.

Russia seized the territory, probably because Ukrainian defenders had retreated to more defensible positions near Robotyne for the winter.

“Geolocated footage published on December 14 and 27 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced west of Verbove (9km east of Robotyne),” the statement says.

ISW suggests that Ukraine's capture of the adjacent positions in August 2023 was tactically significant, as it could have allowed Ukrainian forces to begin operating past Russia's densest minefields and further Russian defensive layers. However, analysts say that these positions are particularly important for Russian forces.

“Recent Russian advances in western Zaporizhia Oblast nevertheless support ISW’s assessment that the current positional war in Ukraine is not a stable stalemate because the current balance can be tipped in either direction by decisions made in the West or in Russia, and limited Russian gains could become significant especially if the West cuts off military aid to Ukraine,” the analysts say.

• Russian forces shot three Ukrainian prisoners of war near Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia region. The Prosecutor General's Office has launched an investigation.