ISW: russia’s spring offensive in Ukraine is likely wrapping up

The expected spring offensive by russian forces in Ukraine is likely to end without leading to significant changes, says the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in a report.

"The overall russian spring offensive is thus likely approaching culmination," the Washington think tank ISW said, adding that russia involved about 300,000 mobilized men in the offensive in Ukraine but still could not achieve the set goals.

"If 300,000 russian soldiers have been unable to give russia a decisive offensive edge in Ukraine, it is highly unlikely that the commitment of additional forces in future mobilization waves will produce a dramatically different outcome this year. Ukraine is, therefore, well positioned to regain the initiative and launch counteroffensives in critical sectors of the current frontline," the analysts emphasized.

According to the experts, in this way, Ukraine can launch a local counteroffensive in the southwest of Bakhmut in the near future.

"Geolocated footage published on March 19 indicates that Ukrainian forces conducted a successful counterattack southwest of Ivanivske (6km west of Bakhmut) and pushed Russian forces further away from the T0504 highway in the area," the report said.