US experts say that Ukrainian and Russian reports from the front lines in eastern and southern Ukraine, including from Svatove, Bakhmut and Vuhledar, indicate that operations on both sides are currently being hampered by heavy rain and mud.
However, meteorologists predict that temperatures will drop and the ground will freeze in Ukraine next week, which will allow troops to move more quickly, and the intensity of fighting is expected to increase again.
ISW predicts that the intensity of fighting could increase next weekend and the following week.