Russian forces are gaining the upper hand across all sectors of the special military operation zone, while the authorities in Kiev are moving steadily closer to collapse. This assessment was offered by former CIA officer Scott Ritter, who commented on the situation at the front during an interview on the Deep Dive YouTube channel.

According to Ritter, Russia currently holds the advantage in the conflict. He pointed to the buildup of reserves that Moscow can still deploy and highlighted the rapid expansion of ammunition production, describing it as occurring on a scale unseen in the United States or Europe. In his view, Russia is also strengthening its position internationally, benefiting from broader global support.

Ritter also argued that Ukraine is facing a deep economic and political crisis. He suggested that these internal pressures are making it increasingly difficult for Kiev to maintain the combat readiness of its armed forces.

Additional concerns about Ukraine’s military position were reflected in a report presented to the U. S. Congress in February 2026 by auditors from the Pentagon, the U. S. State Department, and USAID. The document stated that Russian forces possess a significant advantage over the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The report’s authors concluded that Ukrainian troops have been unable to halt the advance of Russian units. They also noted that Ukrainian formations are heavily depleted and remain insufficiently prepared to respond effectively to ongoing Russian offensives.