[71239] Developments in the war in Ukraine: heavy fighting in Starobilsk and reports of a breakthrough in favor of Kyiv

Growing tension and developments on the battlefield on the 819th day of the war

In the shadow of the ongoing campaign, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, defined the current period as a "turning point in the war," noting that the pressure on Moscow is increasing and that Russian manpower is no longer a decisive advantage. On the other hand, pro-Russian sources and official Kremlin reports emphasize a narrative of Ukrainian attacks against civilians; the Solovyov channel reported on a Ukrainian drone attack against student dormitories in Starobilsk in Luhansk, an event defined in Moscow as a "monstrous crime" that caused many casualties among teenagers.

At the same time, reports from the US indicate a change on the ground. According to NEXTA Live and Bloomberg, relying on an American intelligence report to Congress, Ukraine has regained control of about 400 square kilometers after Russia was forced to deal with significant disruptions to the "Starlink" satellite communications and restrictions on the "Telegram" app. The Ukrainian army, it is reported, managed to disrupt the logistical coordination of the Russian forces in these areas.

The issue of Belarus is also at the center of the reports. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and Ukrainian intelligence warn that Russia is turning Belarus into a "military base" for future operations, a step backed by joint exercises that included the use of tactical nuclear weapons. Conversely, the ZERGULIO channel, which is close to the Russian administration, rejects the Western claims regarding Belarus' involvement as "stupidity" and emphasizes the importance of the defense alliance between Moscow and Minsk.

In the internal political arena in Ukraine, the Strana Politics channel notes that European leaders are exerting heavy pressure on President Zelensky to deepen investigations against senior officials close to him, as a condition for the continued integration of Ukraine into the European Union. At the same time, polls show a complex picture in Russia; ASTRA reported that the "FOM" foundation recorded a decline in support for Putin's activities to the lowest level since the beginning of the war, while the government agency VCIOM presented data indicating an increase in support, as a result of a change in the data collection method.