Russian ground advances stall as Moscow targets Ukrainian energy grid

Russian ground operations in Ukraine have largely stalled, with tracking data showing virtually no net territorial changes in recent weeks. According to independent assessments by the Institute for the Study of War and the DeepState project, Russian forces gained negligible ground through late September, while Ukrainian troops conducted localized counterattacks. Data from the Black Bird Group indicates Russian forces seized roughly 133 square kilometers in August, whereas Ukrainian counter-offensives near Oleksandrivka have reclaimed over 745 square kilometers since January.

As frontline movement slows, Moscow has intensified long-range strikes against Ukraine's power grid ahead of winter. Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhij Koreckyj confirmed recent attacks on energy facilities around Kyiv were the largest campaign targeting heating infrastructure since last season. Concurrently, Ukrainian air defense interception efficiency dropped from 92 percent in May to 83 percent in September.

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