UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 391 - March 19, 2023

The ISW released an abbreviated campaign update on March 19. This report discusses the growing Russian concern about a possible Ukrainian counteroffensive near Bakhmut or in southern Ukraine, as well as Russian efforts to prepare countermeasures for these alleged efforts.

The pace of Russian offensive operations throughout the area has slowed in recent weeks, indicating that the Russian spring offensive in the Donbass may be approaching its peak. Ukrainian authorities have pointed out that significant Russian losses near Vuhledar severely limit the ability of Russian forces to conduct further offensive operations in the Donetsk area. Russian President Vladimir Putin used his first visit to occupied parts of Ukraine to present himself as a committed war leader, while concerns about a possible Ukrainian counteroffensive in southern Ukraine were exaggerated in the nationalist Russian information space.

The full Russian Offensive Update 391 is available directly from UNDERSTANDING WAR.

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