Russian ground advance stalls as Moscow targets Ukrainian energy infrastructure

Russian ground operations in Ukraine have largely stalled, with independent mapping groups reporting virtually zero net territorial shifts through late September despite claims of progress by Moscow. While Russian forces made minor gains in August, Ukrainian counterattacks—including notable advances near Oleksandrivka—have offset those advances.

With land offensives yielding minimal gains, Russian forces have escalated long-range aerial bombardments against Ukraine’s energy grid ahead of winter. Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhij Koreckyj reported that recent strikes marked the largest attack on heating and electricity facilities since last winter, targeting key infrastructure in the Kyiv region. Meanwhile, Ukrainian air defense efficiency against incoming drones decreased from 92 percent in May to 83 percent in September.

Sources: Deník N, Ekonomický deník, Respect, Seznam Zprávy.