ISW: Russians Launch Offensive Against Ukrainian "belt Of Fortresses" In Donetsk Region

Analysts believe that the occupiers will not be able to capture it.

Russian troops have likely launched a spring-summer offensive against Ukraine's "belt of fortresses" in the Donetsk region. The main pressure is focused on the Limansk direction, which opens the way to Slavyansk and Kramatorsk.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports.

Analysts note that the occupiers have intensified offensive actions in eastern Ukraine, probably starting a large-scale spring-summer campaign against the main defense line of the AFU in Donetsk region, known as the "belt of fortresses".

According to ISW, the main fighting is now concentrated in the Limansk direction, where the enemy is trying to create conditions for further advance on Slavyansk.

According to the Ukrainian military, on March 19, Russian units carried out a battalion assault involving more than 500 military personnel, dozens of armored vehicles and a large number of light vehicles, including motorcycles and buggies.

The attack was carried out simultaneously from several directions, indicating a change in tactics from moving in columns to dispersed strikes to make it harder for Ukrainian drones to operate.

It is noted that Liman is a key stronghold on the way to Slavyansk and Kramatorsk. Increased pressure in this direction should create prerequisites for further attacks from different flanks, including from the east and southeast.

In parallel, Russian troops are preparing to intensify combat operations to the south - in the Kramatorsk and Konstantinovsk directions. There, the transfer of equipment, an increase in artillery strikes and the use of drones, in particular FPV and attack drones, have been recorded.

In addition to ground attacks, Russia is stepping up air and drone strikes using guided bombs and barrage munitions. These actions are aimed at disrupting AFU logistics and weakening defensive capabilities before further assaults.

At the same time, Ukrainian forces are inflicting significant losses on the Russians. Russian forces are estimated to have lost the majority of their personnel during one recent assault, raising questions about Russia's ability to sustain the intensity of such attacks for long.

Analysts believe that despite the intensified offensive, Russian forces are unlikely to be able to capture the entire "fortress belt" in 2026. However, fighting in the Donetsk region is likely to remain intense, and the enemy's advance will be accompanied by significant losses.

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