Institute for the Learn about of Warfare

Russian Offensive Marketing campaign Evaluation, February 18, 2025
Christina Harward, Grace Mappes, Davit Gasparyan, Olivia Gibson, and Frederick W. Kagan with Nate Trotter
February 18, 2025, 9:00 pm ET
Click on right here to peer ISW’s interactive map of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This map is up to date day by day along the static maps provide on this file.
Click on right here to peer ISW’s interactive map of Ukraine’s offensive in Kursk Oblast.
Click on right here to peer ISW’s 3-D management of terrain topographic map of Ukraine. Use of a pc (no longer a cell software) is strongly really useful for the use of this data-heavy instrument.
Click on right here to get admission to ISW’s archive of interactive time-lapse maps of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Those maps supplement the static control-of-terrain map that ISW produces day by day by means of appearing a dynamic frontline. ISW will replace this time-lapse map archive per thirty days.
Be aware: The information cut-off for this product was once 1:30 pm ET on February 18 ISW will quilt next experiences within the February 19 Russian Offensive Marketing campaign Evaluation.
Russian and American officers met in Saudi Arabia for bilateral talks concerning the battle in Ukraine on February 18, however Russia continues to show no indications that it’s ready to make any significant concessions on Ukraine as assessed by means of Western intelligence and US officers in step with ISW’s longstanding overview. NBC reported on February 18 that 4 Western intelligence officers and two US congressional officers mentioned that intelligence from america and unspecified shut American allies presentations that Russian President Vladimir Putin nonetheless needs to management all of Ukraine and that his objectives “stay maximalist.”[1] One congressional legit mentioned that there’s “0” intelligence appearing that Putin is all in favour of a “actual peace deal at this time.” Intelligence officers mentioned that Putin has no plans to withdraw troops from Ukraine or to drag any group of workers or apparatus from western Russia. The six officers mentioned that Putin might comply with a ceasefire and peace deal as a way to give the Russian army time to leisure and reconstitute, and there’s an concept amongst Western officers that Putin might “pass during the motions” of negotiations as a way to see what concessions he can get and to reintegrate Russia again into the worldwide group. The 2 congressional officers and a former senior US management legit famous that Putin’s “huge ambitions” have remained unchanged from the top of the Biden management into the brand new Trump management.
Western intelligence tests counsel that Putin has no longer modified his principle of victory in Ukraine and nonetheless believes that Russia’s army superiority is such that Russia can out survive the West and Ukraine at the battlefield. The six legit assets advised NBC that Putin nonetheless thinks that he can “wait out” Ukraine and Europe to ultimately management all of Ukraine.[2] A Western intelligence legit famous that Putin “thinks he’s profitable” and does no longer really feel force to prevent hostilities because of Russian battlefield losses. Putin claimed in June 2024 that Russian forces goal to “squeeze” Ukrainian forces out “of the ones territories that are supposed to be beneath Russian management” and that Russia didn’t wish to habits some other partial involuntary reserve name up very similar to that during September 2022 as a result of Russia isn’t making an attempt to succeed in its army goals in Ukraine swiftly.[3] Putin’s principle of victory assumes that the Russian army can maintain sluggish, creeping advances at the battlefield longer than Ukrainian forces can protect and longer than the West is prepared to strengthen Ukraine.
Many contemporary Russian statements display that Putin stays bored to death in enticing in just right religion negotiations and keeps his purpose of destroying the Ukrainian state whilst the Kremlin has provided no public indication that it might materially compromise. Kremlin officers have again and again denied Ukraine’s sovereignty over its the world over identified 1991 borders and the legitimacy of the Ukrainian executive.[4] Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov maximum not too long ago claimed on February 16 that Russia adjusted its stance on possible talks with Ukraine because of Ukraine’s alleged “deficit” of sovereignty.[5] Kremlin officers, together with Putin, have promoted false narratives that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is “illegitimate” as a part of efforts to assert that Zelensky does no longer have the authority to barter with Russia or that Russia does no longer must honor any agreements that Zelensky might signal someday.[6] Putin and different Russian officers have additionally demanded that Ukraine cede further territory in japanese and southern Ukraine to Russia whilst denying that Russia will make any territorial concessions of its personal.[7]
Russia tried to posture itself on equivalent phrases with america right through the February 18 Russian-American talks in Saudi Arabia, focusing its legit public rhetoric concerning the assembly on US-Russian family members and no longer the battle in Ukraine.[8] The Russian Ministry of International Affairs (MFA) revealed a boilerplate readout of the assembly, right through which Russian International Minister Sergei Lavrov and Presidential Aide Yuriy Ushakov met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Nationwide Safety Adviser Michael Waltz, and Particular Envoy to the Heart East Steve Witkoff.[9] Russian officers, together with Peskov, Lavrov, and Ushakov, widely mentioned that the talks went nicely, claiming that the discussions have been the beginning of an extended procedure and that Russia and america will proceed discussion on those problems.[10] Lavrov claimed that the assembly was once “helpful” and that Russia and america started to “listen every different” and percentage a “choice to transport ahead.”[11] The Russian MFA’s readout emphasised the Russian-American bilateral facets of the talks, together with normalizing bilateral family members, setting up a discussion for long term financial and effort cooperation, and resuming communications on world problems. The Russian MFA’s readout additionally emphasised that Russia and america have a “particular duty” as nuclear powers and individuals of the UN Safety Council to renew speaking on world problems. ISW continues to notice that Putin is attempting to give himself as equivalent to US President Donald Trump and to give Russia as an international energy similar to america and because the inheritor to the Soviet Union’s “superpower” standing.[12] The Russian MFA readout best in short discussed Ukraine, claiming that the delegations “exchanged perspectives” at the scenario “round Ukraine” and mutually dedicated to resolving the battle.[13]
Russian officers on the bilateral assembly persevered to sign the Kremlin’s unwillingness to barter at the battle in Ukraine and resolution to succeed in its maximalist goals in Ukraine. Lavrov claimed that government in Romania and different unspecified EU states are discussing laying declare to Ukrainian territory.[14] Lavrov’s declare is a part of a much wider Kremlin data operation that says that Ukrainian territory is if truth be told the historic territory of alternative states such that just a rump state in western Ukraine may well be left impartial after Russia and Ukraine’s different neighbors had absorbed maximum Ukrainian territory.[15] The Russian MFA mentioned that the Russian delegation in Saudi Arabia reiterated the wish to do away with the “root reasons” of the battle in Ukraine.[16] Kremlin officers have outlined those root reasons as NATO’s alleged violation of duties to not make bigger eastward and the Ukrainian executive’s alleged discrimination in opposition to ethnic Russians and the Russian language, media, and tradition in Ukraine.[17] Kremlin officers have incessantly referred again to Russia’s alleged wish to deal with those “root reasons” in contemporary weeks, together with right through Putin’s February 12 name with Trump. Claims concerning the “root reasons” of the battle are in direct connection with Putin’s past due 2021 and early 2022 calls for of the USA and Ukraine, together with calls for that may power Ukraine to transform a completely impartial state that would by no means sign up for NATO, impose serious boundaries at the dimension of the Ukrainian army, and take away the Ukrainian executive.[18] Moscow’s presentation of the “root reasons” of the battle is meant to position the blame for Russia’s full-scale invasion on Ukraine and provide the beginning of this battle of conquest as one thing Russia was once forced to adopt slightly than the unprovoked aggression it if truth be told was once. This presentation denies the truth that Zelensky ran and took place of work on a platform of finishing the continued struggle and sought to barter with Putin early in his time period and that Putin refused to curtail his proxies’ steady violations of the phrases of the Minsk II settlement.[19]
Lavrov additionally denied Russia’s culpability for its planned and years-long strike campaigns in opposition to Ukrainian power infrastructure. Lavrov claimed that Russian forces didn’t intend to wreck Ukrainian power infrastructure in spite of abundant proof that Russian forces have constantly waged strike campaigns the use of high-precision weaponry to particularly goal Ukraine’s power infrastructure.[20] Russian forces have additionally again and again experimented with other strike applications that goal to be sure that high-precision guns are ready to avoid Ukrainian air protection and achieve their meant power infrastructure goals.[21] Lavrov claimed that US officers on the bilateral assembly proposed a moratorium on moves in opposition to Russian and Ukrainian power amenities, and Lavrov answered that Russian forces best strike amenities that “immediately strengthen” the Ukrainian army. Lavrov is intentionally downplaying the Russian strike campaigns in opposition to Ukrainian power infrastructure that Russian forces have waged each and every iciness of Russia’s full-scale invasion.[22]
Zelensky, against this to Kremlin officers, continues to show Ukraine’s willingness to compromise to result in a long-lasting finish to the battle. Zelensky has again and again demonstrated Ukraine’s dedication to enticing in just right religion negotiations that require compromises with Russia.[23] Zelensky not too long ago expressed his willingness to barter immediately with Putin.[24] Zelensky mentioned on February 11 that Ukraine is prepared to decide to a territorial alternate with Russia as a situation for peace — an offer that Russian officers rejected.[25] Ukraine hosted a global Summit on Peace in Switzerland in June 2024 to ascertain high-level discussion sooner than possible long term peace talks with Russia, and Ukrainian officers introduced in December 2024 that Ukraine was once making ready some other world peace summit.[26] Ukraine up to now expressed its willingness to ask Russian representatives to any long term peace summits.[27]
Russian officers in Saudi Arabia started what’s going to most likely be an ongoing effort to push america into accepting Russian gives of financial and funding measures in lieu of any exact Russian concessions on Ukraine. CEO of the Russian Direct Funding Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev, who was once a part of the Russian delegation in Saudi Arabia, advised The Gentleman Report on February 17 that he had already met with a number of unspecified individuals from the USA delegation in Riyadh previous to the legit talks on February 18.[28] Dmitriev denied that Moscow basically sought to boost sanctions in opposition to Russia, claiming as an alternative that each america and Russia would get pleasure from financial cooperation. Dmitriev mentioned on February 18 that he would provide the USA delegation in Saudi Arabia with an estimate that US corporations misplaced an alleged $300 billion by means of leaving the Russian marketplace.[29] Dmitriev mentioned that primary US oil corporations “have had very a success industry in Russia” and that the corporations will go back to Russia “sooner or later,” reasoning that the corporations would no longer “forego” the alternatives Russia gives on the subject of get admission to to Russian herbal sources. Dmitriev claimed that the Russian delegation put ahead quite a few unspecified financial proposals that america is thinking about and that he thinks there may well be development on those spaces within the subsequent two to a few months.[30] Dmitriev also referred to as on Russia and the USA to ascertain joint tasks within the Arctic, and Minister-Counselor of the Russian Embassy in Canada Vladimir Proskuryakov, who’s reportedly an Arctic specialist, particularly attended the February 18 bilateral assembly.[31] The Kremlin seems to be enticing so to push america to just accept financial phrases which are unrelated to the battle in Ukraine, perhaps in go back for Ukrainian and Western concessions which are associated with the battle. American acceptance of those Russian-offered financial measures — with out tough any Russian concessions on Ukraine in go back — would give away leverage that america will wish to reach Trump’s mentioned purpose of accomplishing a long-lasting and enduring peace that advantages america and Ukraine.
Dmitriev tried to border Russian-offered financial incentives as extra really helpful for america than for Russia, however in fact Russia wishes financial aid once conceivable to stave off looming crises in 2025 and 2026. Dmitriev claimed that earlier US financial insurance policies “undermined self assurance within the buck” and threatened the USA economic system.[32] Dmitriev claimed that sanctions have if truth be told helped Russia transform “extra impartial” whilst destructive the USA buck and American corporations.[33] The Kremlin has been engaged in a knowledge operation in contemporary months that objectives to posture the Russian economic system as sturdy and solid to world audiences, and Dmitriev’s makes an attempt to border america as desiring financial cooperation with Russia greater than Russia wishes such cooperation is a continuation of those efforts.[34] Russia, on the other hand, is going through a sequence of financial and army demanding situations and weaknesses, together with emerging inflation, decreases within the liquidity portion of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, and rising expenditures at the Russian army, which are forecasted to irritate within the subsequent 12 to 18 months must present developments proceed – as ISW’s Christina Harward will define in a impending essay. Russia’s strained economic system and army would get pleasure from sanctions aid, the go back of US corporations to the Russian marketplace, and US funding in Russian herbal sources tasks a lot more than the drastically greater US economic system.
US officers proceed to fulfill with Eu leaders about strengthen for Ukraine. US Particular Presidential Envoy for Russia and Ukraine Keith Kellogg met bilaterally with Eu Fee President Ursula von der Leyen and Eu Council President Antonio Costa on February 18 to speak about strengthen to Ukraine.[35] Von der Leyen emphasised that america and Europe will have to collaborate to succeed in a simply peace in Ukraine and reaffirmed the EU’s dedication to strengthening army strengthen for Ukraine. Costa in a similar way mentioned that the EU stays able to paintings with america to verify lasting peace and safety.
Key Takeaways:
Russian and American officers met in Saudi Arabia for bilateral talks concerning the battle in Ukraine on February 18, however Russia continues to show no indications that it’s ready to make any significant concessions on Ukraine as assessed by means of Western intelligence and US officers in step with ISW’s longstanding overview.
Many contemporary Russian statements display that the Kremlin stays bored to death in enticing in just right religion negotiations and keeps his purpose of destroying the Ukrainian state whilst the Kremlin has provided no public indication that it might materially compromise.
Many contemporary Russian statements display that Putin stays bored to death in enticing in just right religion negotiations and keeps his purpose of destroying the Ukrainian state whilst the Kremlin has provided no public indication that it might materially compromise. 
Russian officers on the bilateral assembly persevered to sign the Kremlin’s unwillingness to barter at the battle in Ukraine and resolution to succeed in its maximalist goals in Ukraine.
Zelensky, against this to Kremlin officers, continues to show Ukraine’s willingness to compromise to result in a long-lasting finish to the battle.
Russian officers in Saudi Arabia started what’s going to most likely be an ongoing effort to push america into accepting Russian gives of financial and funding measures in lieu of any exact Russian concessions on Ukraine.
Dmitriev tried to border Russian-offered financial incentives as extra really helpful for the USA than for Russia, however in fact Russia wishes financial aid once conceivable to stave off looming crises in 2025 and 2026.
US officers proceed to fulfill with Eu leaders about strengthen for Ukraine.
Russian forces not too long ago complicated close to Borova, Toretsk, and Velyka Novosilka.
A Russian milblogger and previous Hurricane-Z teacher persevered to whinge that the Russian army command’s loss of reaction to systemic problems is proscribing Russian advances close to Pokrovsk.
Russian opposition outlet SOTA reported on February 18 that Republic of Mordovia Head Artyom Zdunov introduced that regional government are elevating one-time bills for recruits who signal a freelance with the Russian Ministry of Protection (MoD) from 400,000 rubles ($4,369) to at least one.1 million rubles ($12,015).
Russian forces proceed to deploy wounded and medically undeserving infantrymen to the frontline so to deal with group of workers shortages.

We don’t file intimately on Russian battle crimes as a result of those actions are well-covered in Western media and do indirectly have an effect on the army operations we’re assessing and forecasting. We can proceed to judge and file at the results of those prison actions at the Ukrainian army and the Ukrainian inhabitants and particularly on battle in Ukrainian city spaces. We completely condemn Russian violations of the regulations of armed struggle and the Geneva Conventions and crimes in opposition to humanity even supposing we don’t describe them in those experiences.
Ukrainian Operations within the Russian Federation
Russian Major Effort – Jap Ukraine (constituted of 3 subordinate major efforts)
Russian Subordinate Major Effort #1 – Push Ukrainian forces again from the world border with Belgorod Oblast and strategy to inside tube artillery vary of Kharkiv Town
Russian Subordinate Major Effort #2 – Seize the rest of Luhansk Oblast and push westward into japanese Kharkiv Oblast and encircle northern Donetsk Oblast
Russian Subordinate Major Effort #3 – Seize everything of Donetsk Oblast
Russian Supporting Effort – Southern Axis
Russian Air, Missile, and Drone Marketing campaign
Russian Mobilization and Drive Technology Efforts
Russian Technological Diversifications
Actions in Russian-occupied spaces
Important Task in Belarus
Ukrainian Operations within the Russian Federation
Russian forces persevered offensive operations within the Ukrainian salient in Kursk Oblast on February 18 however didn’t make any showed advances. Russian forces persevered floor assaults northwest of Sudzha close to Sverdlikovo and Pogrebki, east of Sudzha close to Cherkasskaya Konopelka, and south of Sudzha close to Kurilovka.[36] Russian assets claimed that Ukrainian forces persevered counterattacks in Kursk Oblast.[37]
Unconfirmed Russian-claimed advances: Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces complicated east of Sverdlikovo, southeast of Cherkasskaya Konopelka, and north of Fanaseyevka (southeast of Sudzha).[38]
Order of Combat: Components of the first Attack Corporate of the Russian thirty fourth Motorized Rifle Brigade (forty ninth Mixed Palms Military [CAA], Southern Army District [SMD]) reportedly proceed running close to Pogrebki, parts of the eleventh Airborne (VDV) Brigade reportedly proceed running close to Cherkasskaya Konopelka, and parts of the 51st VDV Regiment (106th VDV Department) and 56th VDV Regiment (seventh VDV Department) reportedly proceed running close to Sverdlikovo.[40] Drone parts of the Russian “Rubikon” Middle for Complex Unmanned Applied sciences and Russian Smuglyanka Detachment reportedly proceed running in Kursk Oblast.[41]

Russian Major Effort – Jap Ukraine
Russian Subordinate Major Effort #1 – Kharkiv Oblast (Russian purpose: Push Ukrainian forces again from the world border with Belgorod Oblast and strategy to inside tube artillery vary of Kharkiv Town)
Russian forces persevered floor assaults within the Kharkiv path on February 18 however didn’t advance. Russian forces carried out offensive operations northeast of Kharkiv Town close to Vovchansk on February 17 and 18.[42] Ukraine’s Kharkiv and Khortytsia teams of forces reported on February 18 that Ukrainian forces repelled a kind of platoon-sized Russian mechanized attack close to Vovchansk.[43]

Russian Subordinate Major Effort #2 – Luhansk Oblast (Russian purpose: Seize the rest of Luhansk Oblast and push westward into japanese Kharkiv Oblast and northerly Donetsk Oblast)
Russian forces persevered offensive operations close to Kupyansk on February 18 however didn’t make any showed advances. Russian forces attacked north of Kupyansk alongside the world border close to Topoli, east of Kupyansk close to Petropavlivka, and southeast of Kupyansk close to Stepova Novoselivka and Hluskhivka and against Novoosynove on February 17 and 18.[44] Ukraine’s Khortytsia Staff of Forces revealed photos on February 17 appearing Russian forces engaging in a mechanized attack within the Kupyansk path and reported that Ukrainian drones destroyed one armored group of workers provider and broken 3 others.[45]
Unconfirmed Russian-claimed advances: Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces complicated southwest and northwest of Dvorichna (north of Kupyansk), east of Dovhenke (northeast of Kupyansk).[46] Kharkiv Oblast profession governor Vitaly Ganchev claimed that Russian forces expanded their bridgehead at the west financial institution of the Oskil River, seizing an unspecified agreement north of Dvorichna.[47]
Russian forces not too long ago complicated within the Borova path. Russian forces attacked northeast of Borova close to Zahryzove, Nova Kruhlyakivka, and Lozova; east of Borova close to Kopanky; and southeast of Borova close to Makiivka and Hrekivka on February 17 and 18.[48]
Assessed Russian advances: Geolocated photos revealed on February 18 presentations Russian forces engaging in a platoon-sized mechanized attack southwest of Lozova, indicating that Russian forces not too long ago complicated within the house.[49]
Russian forces persevered offensive operations within the Lyman path on February 18 however didn’t make any showed advances. Russian forces attacked northeast of Lyman close to Novolyubivka, Yampolivka, and Kolodyazi and east of Lyman close to Zarichne and Torske on February 17 and 18.[50]
Unconfirmed Russian-claimed advances: The Russian Ministry of Protection (MoD) claimed on February 18 that Russian forces seized Yampolivka.[51] Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces complicated close to Terny (northeast of Lyman) and south of Yampolivka.[52]
Order of Combat: Components of the Russian 488th Motorized Rifle Regiment (144th Motorized Rifle Department, twentieth Mixed Palms Military [CAA], Moscow Army District [MMD]) and the thirty first and thirty seventh motorized rifle regiments (67th Motorized Rifle Department, twenty fifth CAA, Central Army District [CMD]) are reportedly running close to Yampolivka.[53]

Russian Subordinate Major Effort #3 – Donetsk Oblast (Russian purpose: Seize everything of Donetsk Oblast, the claimed territory of Russia’s proxies in Donbas)
Russian forces persevered offensive operations within the Siversk path on February 18 however didn’t advance. Russian forces attacked northeast of Siversk close to Bilohorivka and east of Siversk close to Verkhnokamyanske on February 17 and 18.[54]

Russian forces persevered offensive operations within the Chasiv Yar path on February 18 however didn’t advance. Russian forces attacked close to Chasiv Yar itself, northeast of Chasiv Yar close to Vasyukivka, and south of Chasiv Yar towards Oleksandro-Shultyne on February 17 and 18.[55] A Russian milblogger claimed on February 17 that Ukrainian forces carried out counterattacks south of Chasiv Yar close to Stuopochky.[56]
Unconfirmed Russian-claimed advances: A Russian milblogger claimed on February 18 that Russian forces complicated close to Stupochky.[57]
The spokesperson for a Ukrainian brigade running within the Chasiv Yar path reported on February 18 that Russian forces are making an attempt to create passages during the Siverskyi-Donets Donbas Canal for Russian apparatus and that Russian forces are seeking to leverage wet or foggy climate stipulations when Ukrainian drone utilization is proscribed as a way to advance.[58]
Order of Combat: Drone operators of the Russian two hundredth Motorized Rifle Brigade (14th Military Corps [AC], Leningrad Army District [LMD]) are reportedly putting Ukrainian positions close to Virolyubivka (west of Chasiv Yar).[59]
Russian forces not too long ago complicated within the Toretsk path. Russian forces attacked close to Toretsk itself, north of Toretsk close to Krymske and Dyliivka, and west of Toretsk close to Scherbynivka on February 17 and 18.[60]
Assessed Russian advances: Geolocated photos revealed on February 17 and 18 signifies that Russian forces not too long ago complicated in northern Toretsk and southwestern Novospaske (west of Toretsk).[61]

Russian forces persevered offensive operations within the Pokrovsk path February 18 however didn’t make any showed advances. Russian forces carried out offensive operations northeast of Pokrovsk close to Vodyane Druhe, Malynivka, and Tarasivka; east of Pokrovsk close to Myrolyubivka, Yelyzavetivka, and Promin; southeast of Pokrovsk close to Lysivka; south of Pokrovsk close to Novoukrainka; and southwest of Pokrovsk close to Pishchane, Kotlyne, Udachne, Uspenivka, Nadiivka, Yasenove, Novooleksandrivka, Kotlyarivka, Preobrazhenka, and Zaporizhzhia on February 17 and 18.[62] Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces counterattacked close to Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Dachenske (south of Pokrovsk), Kotlyne, and Sribne (southwest of Pokrovsk).[63] A Russian supply claimed that Russian forces struck a bridge alongside the T-0515 Pokrovsk-Andriivka freeway in Pershe Travnya (simply southwest of Pokrovsk).[64]
Unconfirmed Russian-claimed advances: Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces complicated north of Zaporizhzhia, southwest of Sribne, and northeast of Pishchane.[65] Russian assets claimed that details about Russian forces seizing all of Uspenivka is unfaithful.[66]
Ukraine’s Khortytsia Staff of Forces Spokesperson Main Viktor Trehubov mentioned that Russian forces within the Pokrovsk path are dropping “momentum” and changing into exhausted.[67] Trehubov mentioned that Russian forces are dropping an unspecified “file’ selection of armored automobiles and feature suffered 14,000 to fifteen,000 casualties up to now month within the house, with 7,000 killed in motion (KIA). A Ukrainian brigade running within the Pokrovsk path mentioned on February 17 that Russian forces are benefiting from snow fall stipulations to accentuate offensive movements, having greater the scale in their infantry attack teams to 5 to seven other people.[68] The spokesperson of some other Ukrainian brigade running within the Pokrovsk path mentioned that Russian forces are attacking with infantry and virtually by no means with armored automobiles.[69] The spokesperson mentioned that Russian forces are gathering troops and replenishing reserves. A Russian milblogger claimed that Ukrainian drone operations are complicating Russian advances close to Lysivka.[70]
Order of Combat: Components of the Russian 506th Motorized Rifle Regiment (twenty seventh Motorized Rifle Department, second CAA, Central Army District [CMD]) are reportedly running close to Uspenivka.[71]

Russian forces persevered offensive operations within the Kurakhove path on February 18 however didn’t make any showed advances. Russian forces carried out offensive operations west of Kurakhove close to Kostyantynopil, Oleksiivka, Shevchenko, Ulakly, Andriivka, and Dachne and southwest of Kurakhove close to Rozdolne on February 17 and 18.[72] Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces counterattacked north of Andriivka and deal with positions west of Dachne.[73]
Unconfirmed Russian-claimed advances: Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces complicated 2.5 kilometers southeast of Ulakly, in central and western Ulakly, in southern and central Kostyantynopil, north and south of Andriivka.[74]
Order of Combat: Drone operators of the Russian one hundred and fortieth Anti-Plane Missile Brigade (twenty ninth Mixed Palms Military [CAA], Jap Army District [EMD]) and 14th Spetsnaz Brigade (Russian Normal Personnel’s Major Directorate [GRU]) are reportedly running close to Kostyantynopil.[75] Components of the thirty ninth Motorized Rifle Brigade (68th AC, EMD) are reportedly running close to Ulakly, and parts of the 68th Tank Regiment and 102nd Motorized Rifle Regiment (either one of the one hundred and fiftieth Motorized Rifle Department, eighth CAA, Southern Army District [SMD]) are reportedly running close to Dachne.[76]

Russian forces not too long ago complicated within the Velyka Novosilka path. Russian forces persevered attacks north of Velyka Novosilka close to Novyi Komar and Novoocheretuvate, northwest of Velyka Novosilka towards Burlatske, west of Velyka Novosilka close to Novosilka and Novopil, and southwest of Velyka Novosilka close to Rivnopil on February 17 and 18.[77]
Assessed Russian advances: Geolocated photos revealed on February 16 signifies that Russian forces not too long ago complicated southwest of Novyi Komar.[78]
Unconfirmed Russian-claimed advances: Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces complicated to southern Novoocheretuvate, one kilometer towards Burlatske, and east of Novosilka.[79]
Order of Combat: Components of the Russian 394th Motorized Rifle Regiment (127th Motorized Rifle Department, fifth CAA, EMD) are reportedly running close to Vremivka (west of Velyka Novosilka), and parts of the sixtieth Motorized Rifle Brigade (fifth CAA, EMD) are reportedly running close to Novosilka.[80]


Russian Supporting Effort – Southern Axis (Russian purpose: Handle frontline positions and protected rear spaces in opposition to Ukrainian moves)
Russian forces not too long ago complicated in western Zaporizhia Oblast. Russian forces carried out offensive operations northwest of Robotyne close to Mali Shcherbaky, Shcherbaky, and Nesteryanka on February 17 and 18.[81]
Assessed Russian advances: The Ukrainian Normal Personnel revealed a map on February 18 indicating that Russian forces not too long ago complicated southeast of Mala Tokmachka (northeast of Robotyne).[82]

Neither Russian nor Ukrainian assets reported floor assaults within the Kherson path on February 18.

Russian Air, Missile, and Drone Marketing campaign (Russian Goal: Goal Ukrainian army and civilian infrastructure within the rear and at the frontline)
Russian forces carried out a sequence of drone moves in opposition to Ukraine at the night time of February 17 to 18. The Ukrainian Air Drive reported that Russian forces introduced 176 Shahed and decoy drones from Millerovo, Rostov Oblast; Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Krasnodar Krai; Shatalovo, Smolensk Oblast; occupied Crimea; and Oryol, Bryansk, and Kursk oblasts.[83] The Ukrainian Air Drive reported that Ukrainian forces downed 103 drones over Kharkiv, Poltava, Sumy, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kherson oblasts and that 67 drones have been ”misplaced,” most likely because of Ukrainian digital struggle (EW) interference, as of 0900 native time. Ukrainian officers reported that Russian forces struck civilian infrastructure in Cherkasy, Kyiv, and Kirovohrad oblasts.[84]
Russian Mobilization and Drive Technology Efforts (Russian purpose: Extend battle energy with out engaging in common mobilization)
A Russian milblogger and previous Hurricane-Z teacher persevered to whinge that the Russian army command’s loss of reaction to systemic problems is proscribing Russian advances close to Pokrovsk. The milblogger claimed on February 17 that the Russian army command’s persevered prioritization of stories exaggerating Russian battlefield successes could also be hiding an important vulnerabilities in Russian forces’ features close to Pokrovsk.[85] The milblogger claimed that the Russian army command is prioritizing its symbol over addressing systemic problems. The milblogger claimed that lower-ranking infantrymen are afraid to file the battlefield realities to their commanders. The milblogger claimed that the senior army command has most likely positioned excessive force on Russian Central Grouping of Forces Commander Colonel Normal Andrei Mordvichev to file Russian successes close to Pokrovsk and insinuated that this force is contributing to the false experiences. The milblogger claimed that Russian forces close to Pokrovsk are under-provisioned as a result of too few Russian strike method are unfold over too huge a space and that this stretching of sources each inhibits Russian advances and leaves Russian forces liable to Ukrainian counterattacks. The milblogger known as for Russian forces to combine flow bomb moves with floor assaults as a way to grab Pokrovsk as Russian forces did with the seizure of Avdiivka in February 2024. The milblogger claimed that Russian infantry, drones, and artillery might not be sufficient to grab Pokrovsk given Russian forces’ present features.
Russian opposition outlet SOTA reported on February 18 that Republic of Mordovia Head Artyom Zdunov introduced that regional government are elevating one-time bills for recruits who signal a freelance with the Russian Ministry of Protection (MoD) from 400,000 rubles ($4,369) to at least one.1 million rubles ($12,015).[86] ISW has reported at period on contemporary Russian efforts to incentivize voluntary recruitment by means of expanding one-time signing bonuses and assesses that those efforts are expanding pressure on Russia’s wartime economic system.[87]
Russian forces proceed to deploy wounded and medically undeserving infantrymen to the frontline so to deal with group of workers shortages. Russian opposition outlet Mobilization Information reported on February 18 that the Russian army command deployed about 40 wounded infantrymen of the Russian 136th Motorized Rifle Brigade (58th Mixed Palms Military [CAA], Southern Army District [SMD]), who have been briefly deemed medically undeserving for provider because of accidents and hepatitis diagnoses, to battle operations.[88] Mobilization Information famous that the Russian army command led the warriors to imagine they have been going to an army medical institution in Kursk Oblast for clinical examinations, remedy, and dismissal from provider however that the Russian command assigned the warriors to be reservists within the “one hundred and fiftieth Regiment” of the 136th Motorized Rifle Brigade. Mobilization Information reported that 136th Motorized Rifle Brigade’s Leader of Personnel Colonel “Graf” Egrafov made the verdict to ship the warriors again to the entrance.
Russian Technological Diversifications (Russian purpose: Introduce technological inventions to optimize programs to be used in Ukraine)
Russia is reportedly operating to modernize its Pantsir air protection gadget. Russian First Deputy High Minister Denis Manturov introduced at the sidelines of the 2025 Global Protection Exhibition (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on February 17 that Russia will mount an unspecified laser gadget on Pantsir air protection programs and not too long ago evolved “mini-missiles” for the programs to fireside at drones.[89]
The Russian Ministry of Protection (MoD) introduced on February 18 the “Voentekh” venture as a part of efforts to boost up the MoD’s implementation of technological inventions and to coach consultants to introduce new merchandise into the Russian army.[90] The MoD and state-backed “Other folks’s Entrance” army help initiative are reportedly creating the venture and can adapt the MoD’s era advisory council to paintings with Russian forces and business representatives to check samples of recent merchandise at the battlefield.
Actions in Russian-occupied spaces (Russian purpose: Consolidate administrative management of annexed spaces; forcibly combine Ukrainian voters into Russian sociocultural, financial, army, and governance programs)
ISW isn’t publishing protection of actions in Russian-occupied spaces as of late.
Important process in Belarus (Russian efforts to extend its army presence in Belarus and additional combine Belarus into Russian-favorable frameworks)
Belarus continues to make stronger financial and army cooperation with world companions. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko met with Libyan Nationwide Military (LNA) Commander-in-Leader Khalifa Haftar in Minsk on February 18 and mentioned financial cooperation and strengthening bilateral family members.[91] Haftar met with Belarusian State Safety Committee (KGB) Head Ivan Tertel in Belarus on February 17.[92] Belarusian State Army Commercial Committee Head Dmitry Pantus met with Azerbaijani Protection Minister Zakir Hasanov on February 18 and mentioned military-technical cooperation.[93]
Be aware: ISW does no longer obtain any categorized subject matter from any supply, makes use of best publicly to be had data, and attracts broadly on Russian, Ukrainian, and Western reporting and social media in addition to commercially to be had satellite tv for pc imagery and different geospatial information as the root for those experiences. References to all assets used are equipped within the endnotes of every replace.
 

[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7] ;
[8] dot ru/ru/foreign_policy/information/1998279/
[9] dot ru/ru/foreign_policy/information/1998279/
[10]
[11] ;
[12] ; ;
[13] dot ru/ru/foreign_policy/information/1998279/
[14] dot ru/politika/23176039
[15]
[16]
[17]
[18] ;
[19] ;
[20] dot ru/politika/23175561
[21]
[22]
[23] ;
[24]
[25] ;
[26] dot h/eda/en/fdfa/fdfa/aktuell/dossiers/konferenz-zum-frieden-ukraine/Summit-on-Peace-in-ukraine-joint-communique-on-a-peace-framework.html ; ; dot com.ua/eng/information/2024/12/27/7491055/
[27]
[28]
[29]
[30] dot ru/politika/23170023
[31] dot ru/politics/18/02/2025/67b43a5b9a79474c3ad5bb79; dot io/information/2025/02/18/sistema-na-peregovory-rossii-i-ssha-v-saudovskoy-aravii-priehal-spetsialist-po-arktike
[32]
[33] dot ru/ekonomika/23169987
[34] ; ;
[35] dot european/fee/presscorner/element/en/read_25_539
[36]
[37]
[38]
[40]
[41]
[42] ; UA Khortytsia GoF reported on FEB 18 that RUAF attacked IVO Vovchansk
[43]
[44] ;
[45] https:// t.me/motopatriot78/32328
[46]
[47]
[48] ; ;
[49]
[50] ; ;
[51]
[52] https:// t.me/z_arhiv/30906
[53]
[54] ; ; ;
[55] ; ; ;
[56]
[57]
[58] dot ua/2025/02/18/navodnyty-misto-pihotoyu-v-chasovomu-yaru-okupanty-namagayutsya-stvoryty-shlyah-cherez-kanal/
[59]
[60] ; ; ;
[61] ; ; ; ;
[62] ; ; ;
[63]
[64]
[65] https:// t.me/z_arhiv/30903;
[66]
[67] dot com.ua/2025/02/18/okupanty-vtratyly-momentum-u-rosiyan-pid-pokrovskom-vtraty-bilshi-nizh-u-srsr-v-afganistani/;
[68]
[69] dot ua/2025/02/18/bronovani-misheni-ekonomlyat-na-pokrovskomu-napryamku-syly-oborony-uspishno-protydiyut-vorozhym-shturmam/;
[70]
[71]
[72] ; ; ;
[73]
[74] https:// t.me/z_arhiv/30899; https:// t.me/boris_rozhin/154968; https:// t.me/motopatriot78/32345 ; https:// t.me/motopatriot78/32336;
[75]
[76]
[77] ; ;
[78] https:// t.me/creamy_caprice/8417; https:// t.me/prolibertate110/1070
[79] https:// t.me/boris_rozhin/154968; https:// t.me/motopatriot78/32358;
[80]
[81] ;
[82]
[83]
[84]
[85]
[86]
[87] ;
[88]
[89] dot ru/20250217/pantsir-1999842072.html ;
[90] dot ru/armiya-i-opk/23173057
[91] dot by means of/president/view/lukashenko-livijskomu-feldmarshalu-my-gotovy-sdelat-dlja-vas-vse-chto-vy-uvidite-poleznogo-v-belarusi-696640-2025/ ;
[92]
[93] dot by means of/society/view/belarus-i-azerbajdzhan-nametili-perspektivnye-napravlenija-voenno-tehnicheskogo-sotrudnichestva-696670-2025/ ;

Author: OpenAI