Since August 29, Ukraine has been on the offensive and made significant gains in the south and north east pushing Russia off the west bank of the Dnieper River, which divides Ukraine down the middle. Since late October the Ukrainian counter-offensive has slowed down significantly although Ukraine is still gaining ground.

In the south, the main goal of Ukrainian forces has been to liberate the Kherson Oblast (version of a state used by some former Communist/Soviet countries) which has gone slowly but the portion of it on the western bank of the Dnieper has been liberated for some time now. The liberation of the remainder of the Kherson Oblast would allow naval access to the Black Sea. Kherson is the second westernmost major port and is important for trade and naval dominance, however the port despite lying on the west bank of the Dnieper cannot be used to its greatest effect as long as Russia still stands on the east bank. Liberating the Kherson Oblast would also allow for an invasion into Crimea and put more pressure on the Russian center armies.

In the North, the Ukrainian counter offensive had pushed Russia back so far that the Northern front is now in line with the center and not extended 200 kilometers out as it had been at the start of the offensive. The gains made here relieved the second biggest city in Ukraine, Kharkiv. Of the heavy fighting which it has seen since the start of the war. Kharkiv now lies 200 kilometers behind the frontline. The cities of Izyum and Lyman which are further east and closer to the current frontline have also been liberated.

Outside the major counter-offensive, small gains have been made by Ukraine in the center making small advances in the line with no major impact which are normal to be seen in any war.

Active Partisan activities have been taking place in small areas in the north and in one large area in the south. Partisans are made up of paramilitary, civilian, and military groups. Their objective is to disrupt Russian supply lines by destroying trucks and other vehicles carrying equipment or destroying equipment depots. Their efforts are much less known and not as influential as the actual battles. However, they are still risking their lives just as much as the Ukrainian army to disrupt Russia’s invasion. The fact that the war has gone on for so long is surprising and these partisans are helping to bring this long grueling war to a quicker end. 

“I never really expected it to go for this long,” English teacher Courtney Hanson said.

The Ukrainian counter-offensive has made significant gains and could be another turning point based upon whatever Ukraine and Russia decide to do next.