Despite a significant military presence on the front lines, Russian forces have made minimal territorial gains in Ukraine during the winter months, according to Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov.
Budanov reported that the results of the winter campaign have yielded only marginal successes for Russia, marking one of the least effective periods in their ongoing operations against Ukraine. He emphasized, “The territorial achievements are negligible, likely the smallest compared to all previous campaigns against Ukraine.”
In a shift of tactics, Budanov noted that Russia has resorted to a strategy of terror, targeting critical infrastructure through a series of attacks. He stated, “While there has been some progress in this area, the consequences are now being felt by every Ukrainian.”
The destruction of infrastructure has emerged as the primary achievement for Russian forces this winter. However, Budanov warned that as temperatures rise, the impact of these attacks may diminish.
Budanov also dismissed Russian claims of capturing several Ukrainian cities, recalling the repeated assertions of Russia’s supposed takeover of Kupiansk and other locations as mere propaganda. “This is simply a fact. We continue to fight, and we cannot ignore that. Yes, there is no victory for them, but the war is ongoing. The situation is precarious, and everyone understands this,” he added.
Ukrainian military intelligence reports that Russian forces have achieved minimal territorial gains during the winter campaign, relying instead on attacks against critical infrastructure. As the conflict continues, the effectiveness of these tactics may wane with warmer weather.