The Ukrainian army conducted its most successful offensive since mid-2023, recapturing over 200 square kilometers of territory within a few days. This success coincided with Russian forces losing access to the Starlink satellite communication system. Simultaneously, peace negotiations resumed in Geneva under the auspices of the United States, although territorial differences between Kyiv and Moscow remain a fundamental obstacle to reaching an agreement.

Record Territorial Gains

Ukrainian forces regained 201 km² of territory, exceeding Russian advances from the entire December and marking the best result since June 2023.

Starlink Blockade Hits Russia

Russian troops lost access to satellite communication, which according to ISW was the direct cause of command paralysis and Ukraine's success.

Negotiations in Geneva

Peace talks resumed in Switzerland, but territorial issues remain the main obstacle to an agreement with Moscow.

Ukrainian armed forces made a significant breakthrough in Russian defense lines, reclaiming approximately 201 square kilometers of territory in eastern Ukraine. According to an analysis by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), this is Kyiv's largest territorial success since the counteroffensive in June 2023. The scale of the recaptured area nearly matches all Russian gains from the entire December of last year. A key factor enabling this progress was the sudden loss of access to Starlink by Russian troops. The lack of stable satellite communication paralyzed Russian coordination, which Ukrainian units skillfully exploited. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022, satellite technologies have become the foundation of modern warfare, and control over network access often determines tactical operational advantage. Against the backdrop of military successes, peace talks resumed in Geneva with U.S. mediation. Delegations from both sides met this week to attempt de-escalation of the conflict ahead of the upcoming fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion. Despite the resumption of dialogue, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about a quick diplomatic breakthrough. The main point of contention remains border issues and sovereignty over occupied regions. Russia demands recognition of its territorial gains, which Ukraine, emboldened by recent successes on the front, categorically rejects. The situation on the operational map is changing dynamically, directly impacting the negotiating positions of both countries. 201 km² — territory regained by Ukraine in just a few days Military experts emphasize that preventing the aggressor from using Elon Musk's infrastructure drastically reduced Russian combat capabilities. Until now, occupation forces used terminals obtained on the black market, giving them digital parity with Ukrainian forces. The current blockade restored Kyiv's technological advantage, translating into concrete gains in eastern oblasts. Diplomats in Switzerland are observing these reports closely, knowing that any change in the front line moves the prospect of a lasting ceasefire further away or closer. „Territory remains a key point of contention, and the progress of our soldiers is the best response to Russian demands.” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy Territorial Gains in the Short Term: Ukraine (currently): 201, Russia (entire December): 200 Chronology of Recent Events: February 16, 2024 — Reports of Blockade; February 17, 2024 — Start of Talks in Geneva; February 18, 2024 — Confirmation of Successes Liberal media emphasize the strategic significance of the Musk technology blockade and Ukrainian army successes as proof of sanction effectiveness. | Conservative sources focus on the diplomatic impasse in Geneva and uncertainty about the durability of Ukrainian territorial gains.

Mentioned People

  • Volodymyr Zelenskyy — President of Ukraine, expressing skepticism about progress in peace talks.
  • Elon Musk — Owner of SpaceX, whose Starlink system played a key role in recent changes on the front.
  • Vladimir Putin — President of Russia, initiator of the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.