The Russians are changing tactics, shifting from mechanized column attacks to dispersing equipment across various directions of attack simultaneously.
Russian troops have begun their planned spring-summer offensive in 2026 on the Ukrainian "fortress belt," the main line of defense for Ukraine in the Donetsk region. This is reported by analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Direction of Lyman
"Russian troops have started ground operations in the direction of Lyman with the aim of advancing towards Sloviansk, the northern end of the Fortress Belt, from the northeast, likely to create conditions for further offensives on Sloviansk from the east and southeast in the following stages," the report states.
Lyman is a key stronghold on the way to Sloviansk and can serve as a base for Russian efforts to capture both Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.
Thus, Ukrainian military officials reported that Russian troops launched offensives on seven fronts on March 19, deploying over 500 infantry, dozens of armored vehicles, and more than 100 motorcycles, buggies, and all-terrain vehicles. This battalion-scale offensive significantly exceeds most Russian mechanized offensives in recent months.
A representative of the Ukrainian mechanized brigade operating in the direction of Lyman noted that Russian troops are increasing pressure on Ukrainian forces by using a large number of infantry and equipment, as well as adapting their tactics by shifting from mechanized column attacks to dispersing equipment across various directions of attack simultaneously. He added that Russian troops are also conducting more strikes with guided planning bombs KAB-3000, loitering munitions "Lancet," and drone strikes "Molniya" in the direction of Lyman.
"These airstrikes and drone strikes are likely a continuation of the Russian campaign of air interception on the battlefield in the direction of Lyman, aimed at weakening Ukrainian logistics and defensive capabilities before ground operations, allowing Russian troops to advance more quickly and easily across the territory," ISW points out.
Direction of Kramatorsk and Konstantynivka
Additionally, analysts indicate that Russian troops are also creating conditions to strengthen ground operations in the directions of Kramatorsk and Konstantynivka with the aim of attacking the "fortress belt" from the south.
On March 21, Colonel Dmytro Zaporozhets, spokesperson for the 11th Army Corps of Ukraine, reported that Russian troops are actively redeploying personnel to Konstantynivka; drone strikes from Chasiv Yar are intensifying, armored vehicles and other equipment have been brought to this direction; artillery and tactical air strikes in the direction of Kramatorsk have been doubled.
"Russian troops are intensifying ground assaults and strikes, and the redeployment of heavy equipment and troops to the front line is likely aimed at creating conditions for the spring-summer offensive of 2026 and expanding ground operations from the south of the 'fortress belt,'" ISW notes.
Russian troops are also conducting an air interception campaign at the southern end of the "fortress belt," at least since the end of February 2026, as part of preparations for the upcoming campaign, striking key Ukrainian ground lines of communication in this area and populated areas in close proximity to Kramatorsk.
War in Ukraine - News
Spokesperson for the 11th Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Dmytro Zaporozhets stated that the Russians have set a goal to capture Konstantynivka in the Donetsk region by the May holidays.
DeepState also reported that the Russians captured Platonivka in the Donetsk region and advanced near a number of populated areas.
Leave a comment