"They will have advantageous positions for attacks": the ISW revealed the goals behind Putin's demands to hand over Donbas
Instead, the Kremlin leader once again repeated his demand to gain control over the entire territory of Donbass. This idea is put forward by the Kremlin for a reason: a report by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) explained exactly what goals the Russians are pursuing. Analysts explain that, despite the information about Putin's new proposals, which was made public in WP, the exact conditions of the Kremlin leader remain unclear.
"Possibly, Putin meant the Ukrainian-controlled parts of the Zaporizhia and Kherson regions, which Russia illegally annexed, but does not occupy," ISW writes. In August 2025, Putin floated the idea of handing over Donetsk region to Russian control in exchange for a ceasefire. As before, ISW analysts are of the opinion that Russia will gain a disproportionate advantage if Ukraine agrees to such terms.
"Donetsk region contains a territory of strategic importance for the defense and defense-industrial base (OPB) of Ukraine, including the fortress belt - the main line of defense of Ukraine in Donetsk region since 2014, which Ukraine has turned into a significant logistics and defense-industrial center," analysts explain. At the same time, such demands are made due to the fact that the Russian army does not have the ability to capture the entire territory of Donbas by its own efforts.
According to the ISW, at the current pace of Russian advance on the front, it will take them at least a few more years to achieve such goals. Russia, having received the entire territory of Donbas, will gain a number of advantages, analysts believe. In particular, the Russians will have the following opportunities: Offensive operations of the Russians will have more opportunities, in particular, in the absence of guarantees that Russia will not resume aggression.