Bakhmut and Avdiivka were the main theaters of hostilities between Russia and Ukraine. As Russia’s offensive is waning, Ukraine might seize the initiative by launching a counteroffensive, whose scope is yet to be determined.
Russia’s war effort saw a conflict between the Russian Army officials and the Wagner mercenary group leader, Evgeny Prigozhin, regarding the provision of insufficient equipment to the frontlines. Russia is preparing a new wave of mobilization, while soldiers are increasingly complaining about the precarious war conditions provided to them. Its energy revenues are decreasing constantly as a result of sanctions. Russia continues to coordinate with China and Iran on economic and military issues.
The Republic of Moldova is developing its resilience capabilities from hybrid threats through European funds, while Russia is kept at a distance by the current pro-European leadership.
Bulgaria and Montenegro went to the polls, while the Turkish opposition has finally nominated a candidate that will face Tayyip Erdogan in the May elections. EU mediation efforts between Serbia and Kosovo have continued this month as well, a verbal agreement being reached between the two parties. Kosovar protesters in The Hague and in Pristina have shown opposition to the war crime trials of four former guerilla leaders.