ISW in the news again for its battlefield analysis on Ukraine-Russia, April 2026. Brief bio: US think tank founded 2007 by Kimberly Kagan, DC-based.
As of February 2026, SpaceX and Ukraine have implemented a whitelist system requiring registration of Starlink terminals to block unauthorized Russian military use. This move has disrupted Russian drone operations and frontline communications, significantly weakening Moscow's ability to coordinate attacks. Ukrainian forces have regained territory, leveraging the disruption of Russian communications.
Between late March and early April 2026, Russia launched multiple large-scale drone and missile attacks across Ukraine, targeting cities including Kyiv, Odesa, Lviv, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Nikopol. These strikes damaged civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and residential buildings, killing at least 13 people and injuring dozens. Ukraine's air defenses intercepted most drones. Ukraine retaliated with drone strikes on Russian territory, including the Baltic port of Primorsk. Peace talks remain stalled amid ongoing conflict.
Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a 32-hour ceasefire from 4 p.m. on April 11 to midnight on April 12 for Orthodox Easter. Both sides have confirmed compliance despite ongoing tensions and recent attacks. The truce coincides with prisoner exchanges and diplomatic talks, though broader peace negotiations remain stalled amid continued conflict.
A coordinated set of arrests across Europe has been linked to Russia's military intelligence, with Lithuanian authorities arresting nine people accused of planning murders and sabotage on behalf of the GRU. In France, Russian activists face heightened security concerns, and authorities warn of a broader, ongoing threat to activists and opposition figures.
Ukraine has gained about 116 square kilometres of front-line territory in several sectors, while Russian advances have slowed to a crawl in early 2026. The Institute for the Study of War notes Kyiv’s counter-offensives and Moscow’s use of infiltration tactics to project gains that are not fully controlled.