The US think tank made the assessment in its latest report on the war in Ukraine, published on Monday night.
Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations in the eastern Donetsk region and in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia provinces on Monday, and have reportedly advanced near the Russian-held eastern city of Bakhmut and in the western part of Zaporizhzhia, the ISW said.
Ukrainian forces have liberated 2 square kilometres of territory in the Bakhmut direction over the past week and have made gains near Klishchiivka (6km southwest of Bakhmut) and Andriiivka (9km southwest of Bakhmut), the US think tank added, citing military officials in Kyiv.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar said on Monday that Ukrainian forces have gained a total of 4.8 square kilometres in the Tavriisk (Zaporizhzhia) operational direction over the past week, particularly south of Robotyne (10km south of Orikhiv) and west of Verbove (20km southeast of Orikhiv), the ISW also reported.
Ukrainian troops are seeking to push southwards through Zaporizhzhia to the Sea of Azov, to split Russian forces, according to officials.
Tuesday is day 566 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
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Source: ISW, Reuters