With peace negotiations backed by President Trump stalled, Russia has sought to portray its victory in Ukraine as inevitable. At the same time, long-range strikes by Ukraine, Western sanctions and ship seizures are pushing down prices for Russian oil that are critical for Moscow to sustain its military efforts. “That’s the big breakthrough in a war that his military is unable to win,” Jones said of Putin. Russian military bloggers claimed a large-scale counteroffensive, but Ukraine’s military has since described the advances as tactical assaults. Soldiers said they took advantage of Russian communications problems after Elon Musk’s SpaceX disabled Starlink for the Russian military in Ukraine.

Source: Wall Street Journal February 24, 2026 12:35 UTC