The situation 1438 – February 27, 2026

1. Russian forces have likely begun artillery and drone preparation of the battlefield for the anticipated Russian Spring-Summer 2026 offensive against Ukraine’s Fortress Belt in Donetsk Oblast.
2. Russia is reportedly expanding recruitment efforts in higher educational institutions to staff the Russian Unmanned Systems Forces (USF).
3. The Kremlin is continuing to crack down on pro-war information space figures that it cannot fully co-opt or subordinate to state control as part of wider efforts to consolidate the information space under the Kremlin’s control.
4. Russian drone approached the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the Swedish port of Malmo on February 25.
5. Russian forces likely used white phosphorus in Kostyantynivka and may have indiscriminately affected civilian areas in violation of international law.
6. Ukrainian forces recently advanced in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical area and near Oleksandrivka. Russian forces recently advanced near Hulyaipole.

The full update of the Russian offensive 1438 is available on UNDERSTANDING WAR.