Ukraine Holds Ground as Russia Slows Advances, FDD Says

Ukraine has increased strikes on Russian logistics, air defenses, and energy infrastructure, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies reported on May 26. Russian advances have slowed and become more costly, while Ukrainian drone strikes now reach 30 to 50 kilometers behind Russian lines.

The same report states that Ukraine has stabilized its manpower situation and continues to target mid-range Russian systems. Long-range Ukrainian strikes on oil facilities and defense plants have also reduced resources available to Moscow.

Russia scaled back its May 9 military parade on Red Square after repeated Ukrainian strikes, the analysis said. Public dissatisfaction has grown over internet restrictions and the length of the conflict, which now exceeds the duration of the Soviet war against Nazi Germany.

The Kremlin stated this month that further talks would be a “waste of time” unless Ukraine cedes the portion of Donetsk it still controls. Kyiv has rejected that demand, noting that Russian forces would need years to capture the remaining territory at their current pace.

-brokered talks stalled over territorial issues and are currently paused because of the Iran conflict, the report noted. The authors argue that any renewed negotiations will fail unless Moscow adjusts its demands to match its battlefield position. The analysis recommends that the United States continue supplying intelligence and European-financed weapons to Ukraine while enforcing oil sanctions once conditions allow.