Russia Is Losing Its War, and Congress Should Help Finish the Job

George Barros, one of the Institute for the Study of War’s leading analysts of Russia’s war of conquest in Ukraine, believes that the long-running conflict in Europe has reached a tipping point.

Moscow’s advances, most of which have been limited by Ukrainian drone warfare to platoon-level incursions, have “steadily decreased since January” of this year, he said recently. “Ukraine’s lines are holding and will likely continue to hold,” Barros continued. The “fortress belt” in the Donbas continues to repel Russian forces. “Ukraine has spent the last 11 years pouring time, money, effort, and resources into reinforcing the Belt, establishing significant defensive infrastructure in and around” the cities in the free areas of Donetsk Oblast.

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.

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George Barros, one of the Institute for the Study of War’s leading analysts of Russia’s war of conquest in Ukraine, believes that the long-running conflict in Europe has reached a tipping point.

Moscow’s advances, most of which have been limited by Ukrainian drone warfare to platoon-level incursions, have “steadily decreased since January” of this year, he said recently. “Ukraine’s lines are holding and will likely continue to hold,” Barros continued. The “fortress belt” in the Donbas continues to repel Russian forces. “Ukraine has spent the last 11 years pouring time, money, effort, and resources into reinforcing the Belt, establishing significant defensive infrastructure in and around” the cities in the free areas of Donetsk Oblast.

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.