Russia Failed Its Plan To Capture Donbas — WSJ

The Russian army has not met its objective, set for 2026, of capturing the entire Donbas region, according to the Wall Street Journal. The advance of Russian forces has slowed as Ukrainian strikes on supply lines and rear-area facilities have disrupted the delivery of essential resources like ammunition, fuel, and reinforcements to Russian units.

From January to October 2026, Russian forces captured only 119 square kilometers of territory, a drastic decrease compared to 2025, when they had taken nearly 41 times more land. Supply disruptions have complicated the execution of offensive operations, hindering the Russian army's ability to advance. Moreover, Ukrainian forces have managed to push back Russian troops in the Lyman area of the Donetsk region, further impeding the Russian military's progress.

Despite ongoing offensive operations, the Russian army has not achieved its stated goal of capturing all of Donbas. Mykola Malomuzh, the General of Ukraine's Army and former head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service (2005-2010), has stated that Ukraine's forces are inflicting significant damage on the occupying forces in various areas.