Russian forces have recently made gains in eastern Ukraine as part of their offensives on multiple fronts, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a Washington D.C.-based think tank. The report suggests that the Russian troops are likely ramping up their offensive operations in order to seize and control the initiative ahead of the Russian presidential elections in March 2024.

The ISW report, released on December 9, highlights that Russian forces have successfully taken control of key areas along the Kharkiv-Luhansk oblast border, near Bakhmut, as well as along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City axis. Ukrainian forces, on the other hand, maintain the initiative in certain areas of southern Ukraine.

According to Russian sources cited in the report, the Russian forces have advanced to elevated positions north of Klischiivka and to the eastern outskirts of Bohdanivka, both near Bahkmut. Geo-located footage shared on December 8 further indicates that Russian forces have pushed east of Yampolivka, north of Bahkmut.

Earlier footage posted on December 7 shows Russian troops advancing south of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia area of southeastern Ukraine. Despite Russian attempts, Ukrainian forces have managed to maintain their positions on the east bank of the Kherson oblast in southern Ukraine.

The ISW report also points out that Ukrainian forces are utilizing the challenging weather conditions and ongoing Russian offensive operations to establish and consolidate defensive positions along the parts of the front line where they have not been conducting counteroffensive operations. This strategy allows Ukraine to conserve manpower and resources for future offensive efforts.

Newsweek has reached out to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Ukraine's General Staff of the Armed Forces, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment on the developments in Eastern Ukraine.

The campaign in eastern Ukraine has taken a toll on Russian forces, with the Ukrainian Ground Forces Command spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Volodymyr Fityo reporting that Moscow has lost around 11,000 military personnel across the eastern territories.

ISW analysts have also noted that while Russia is making gains, they might be suffering losses along the entire front in Ukraine at a rate close to the generation of new forces.

As the situation in eastern Ukraine continues to evolve, the international community watches closely to gauge the implications of these recent gains by Russian forces and their impact on the region's stability and the upcoming presidential elections in Russia.