Russia made no territorial gains in March, the first time its progress has stalled entirely in more than two years.
Ukrainian forces even recaptured small areas of territory, the Institute for the Study of War data showed. Moscow’s advance has been slowing since late last year: It took just 123 square miles in January and 47 in February, the smallest gains since April 2024.
The ISW said Ukrainian counteroffensives were one reason, as well as technological issues that have hindered battlefield communication: Starlink has cut Russia’s access to its satellite internet, and the Kremlin prevented its own troops from using the messaging app Telegram in favor of a state-run option.
