Ukraine War: Is there a stalemate or is this the lull before the storm?

Synopsis

The Ukrainian drone attack on Sevastopol, home to the Russian Black Sea Fleet, significantly impacts the ongoing war. This follows a Russian missile barrage on Kiev overnight on Thursday, marking the first attack on the city in 51 days. Ukraine claims to have intercepted 21 out of 23 missiles, but the assault results in 25 civilian casualties. Despite a decrease in media coverage, fighting remains intense, particularly around Bakhmut, where the Wagner group controls 87% of the area. Preparations for a spring offensive are underway in Crimea, with the Russian military emptying a storage yard of armored personnel carriers and tanks. Additionally, the Russians are fortifying positions at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility, raising concerns about potential targets in a counter-offensive. Extensive trench systems, some visible from space, are being constructed along the front line, while Ukrainian troops trained in the UK return to bolster defenses.