ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 22, 2026

Key Takeaways from the ISW: The Kremlin’s seeming interest in negotiations aims not to end the war in Ukraine but rather to secure economic concessions from the United States such that Russia can continue funding its war. The Kremlin is fundamentally interested only in buying time to resolve the war on the battlefield while Russia simultaneously reaps the benefits of economic cooperation with the United States. Russian forces are not winning on the battlefield, however, particularly as Ukrainian forces have stymied the planned Russian offensive to seize Donetsk Oblast. The Kremlin is likely actively seeking economic cooperation with the United States as Russia faces significant financial strain. Russian forces conducted a massive missile and drone strike against Ukraine overnight on October 21 to 22 following the October 21 meeting between Witkoff and Putin- a continuation of Russia’s pattern of launching large strike packages in the days before and after major peace talks. Russian forces struck Kyiv City with cluster munitions to purposely harm the civilian population, likely as part of wider Russian efforts to distract from Ukraine’s recent battlefield successes and ultimately force Ukraine into capitulation by making daily life untenable. Ukrainian forces recently advanced south of Vovchansk and in southern Kostyantynivka. Ukrainian forces continued their long-range strike campaign against Russian military assets on October 21 and overnight on October 21 to 22. JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. See the original here.