Ukraine makes fastest gains in years as Russia talks stall, exploiting cracks in Kremlin command

While U.S.-backed negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Geneva stalled, Ukraine achieved its fastest territorial gains in years along the southeastern front near Zaporizhzhia. Over five days, Ukrainian forces retook approximately 78 square miles, exploiting reported disruptions in Russian battlefield communications and command-and-control. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War suggest Ukraine is leveraging limitations affecting Russian connectivity, creating opportunities for localized counterattacks around Huliaipole. Despite these advances, experts caution that the front remains fluid and the gains do not indicate a collapse in Russian defenses. The fighting has centered east of Zaporizhzhia, where Russian forces have steadily advanced since mid-2025.

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