In the first two weeks of March, Russian Chief of General Staff Valerij Gerasimov stated that Russian forces gained control over twelve settlements along the front in Ukraine. Gerasimov specifically named three villages—Holubivka, Kalenykyj, and Veselyanka—as among the settlements gained. He claimed Russian forces are still 'actively advancing' while repelling Ukrainian counteroffensives from Dnipropetrovsk.
However, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) observed that only two settlements are behind Russian defense lines, with no Russian soldiers seen in the three named villages. The ISW noted that Gerasimov has exaggerated gains by including very small communities. S.
and Ukraine to improve Russia's negotiation position. The exact status of the planned tripartite meetings and when they might be rescheduled remains unclear, as they have been repeatedly postponed due to the war in Iran. Further contradicting Russian assertions, the ISW reported that Russian claims of control around Kupjansk in Kharkiv are unoccupied.
This adds to a pattern where independent analysts challenge Moscow's battlefield reports. The specific two settlements confirmed to be behind Russian defense lines according to ISW have not been publicly identified, leaving a gap in the verification of territorial changes. These developments occur against a backdrop of previous events, including Russian GPS spoofing attacks that disrupted civilian navigation in Ukraine and globally, as reported earlier.
Ukrainian forces have also been active, with the intelligence group Atesh infiltrating approximately 30 Russian military units to conduct sabotage, and the Ukrainian Defense Forces implementing a point system for soldiers to earn weapons through combat, building on earlier coverage of these initiatives. On the diplomatic front, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Spain announced a new aid package of nearly 11 billion kronor for Ukraine, though how much of this is military versus humanitarian assistance has not been specified.
Agreements were made on drone and missile production between Ukraine and Spain, but the specific details of these agreements remain undisclosed. These meetings and aid announcements come after previous escalations, such as Vladimir Putin accusing Britain of carrying out a barbaric terrorist attack following long-range missile strikes, indicating continued international involvement in the conflict. The conflicting claims over territorial control underscore the fog of war in Ukraine.
While Gerasimov's statements suggest significant Russian progress, independent analysis paints a more limited picture. The evidence supporting the allegation that Russian claims are timed to improve negotiation positions is not detailed in available reports, but the pattern aligns with strategic messaging. Ukraine's recent activities, including cross-border operations and intelligence efforts, reflect a multifaceted approach to countering Russian advances.
As the conflict persists, the verification of battlefield gains remains challenging, with both sides leveraging information as a tool of war. The ongoing strikes and diplomatic maneuvers highlight the conflict's evolution beyond frontline clashes to encompass economic, technological, and political dimensions.