Putin Vanishes as Russian Spring Offensive Stalls

(KYIV) – Russia has launched a large scale spring offensive across a front stretching roughly 100 kilometres, but early indications suggest the operation has incurred heavy losses and limited gains.

The offensive began on 17 March 2026 following months of reported troop build up. Ukrainian officials had repeatedly warned of an imminent push. Within the first 48 hours, Ukrainian estimates indicated around 3,200 Russian troops were killed or wounded, including 1,710 casualties on 18 March and 1,520 on 19 March.

Initial battlefield developments point to strong Ukrainian resistance. Even pro Kremlin military bloggers, including the Russian channel Rybar, have depicted Ukrainian counter attacks in parts of the front line, including areas near villages such as Oleksiivka, Verbove and Stepove. Ukrainian forces appear to have penetrated Russian held territory, though positions remain fluid.

The offensive is focused on an axis towards Sumy region, with Russian forces reportedly employing so called mass infantry assaults. Ukrainian accounts also describe unconventional tactics, including the use of horses to traverse terrain inaccessible to vehicles. Ukrainian defenders say they have stabilised their lines and continue to rely heavily on drone warfare.

Footage released from the front shows Ukrainian first person view drones striking Russian soldiers at repeated locations, highlighting the density and effectiveness of drone operations. Russian military chatter cited concerns over the scale of Ukrainian drone deployments, describing the situation as “alarming”.

Away from the battlefield, attention has turned to the absence of Vladimir Putin, who has not appeared publicly for nine days. The gap marks one of the longest interruptions in his public schedule this year. Russian state records show his last confirmed Kremlin appearance occurred more than a week ago.

Reports suggest his reduced visibility coincides with heightened security concerns following recent Israeli and United States actions targeting Iranian leadership. Analysts note that surveillance systems used by authoritarian regimes may also expose movement patterns of senior officials, potentially increasing perceived risks.

Separately, a prominent Russian propagandist, Ilya Remeslo, has publicly broken with the Kremlin. In a manifesto circulated on social media, he criticised the war in Ukraine, citing economic damage, restrictions on media freedom, and the prolonged tenure of Putin. He also questioned the government’s responsiveness to public opinion.

In a subsequent video, Remeslo confirmed he had authored the statements himself and had not been hacked. Unverified reports claim he was later detained and placed in a psychiatric facility in St Petersburg, a practice historically associated with the suppression of dissent in Russia.

Calls for protests on 29 March have also circulated online, focusing on internet restrictions and surveillance measures. However, public demonstrations in Russia remain rare due to the risk of arrest and prosecution.

Developments in the Middle East have added further strain to global stability. On 18 March, Israel struck Iran’s South Pars gas field, which accounts for approximately 75 per cent of Iran’s gas production. Iran responded by targeting energy infrastructure across the Gulf region, including facilities in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Damage to Qatar’s liquefied natural gas infrastructure, one of the largest in the world, is estimated to reduce capacity by 17 per cent, with repairs expected to take up to five years. Annual losses are projected at around $20 billion.

In response, the United States under Donald Trump has accelerated military deployments to the region. Up to 10,000 personnel, including Marine expeditionary units, are being sent from bases in Japan and California to reinforce existing forces.

Strategic focus is likely to centre on key islands controlling the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for global energy supplies. Satellite imagery has also shown Iranian speedboats conducting hit and run attacks on tankers, contributing to ongoing disruptions in the strait.

Meanwhile, a US F 35 fighter jet made an emergency landing following an incident over Iran. Officials confirmed the pilot was safe, though details of the cause remain unclear.