Russia and Ukraine are building forces for looming battles in the east

Russia’s escalating military operations in and around eastern Ukraine in recent days are setting the stage for a new phase in Moscow’s offensive — one that will likely be very different from the nature of the fighting that has characterized the past two months.

This time, the militaries of the two countries will operate in open terrain well-suited to massed forces and armored advances. Russian forces will also fight in close proximity to their bases in western Russia, giving them shorter supply routes and better knowledge of their commanders on the territory.