Fact-check: The article is verified on the Atlantic Council website, published February 20, 2026, arguing that Ukraine's military has been underestimated as the invasion enters its fifth year. Recent X posts align with this by highlighting Ukraine's rapid military adaptations, innovations like drone warfare and fiber-optic tech, and status as a source of doctrine for NATO, with no contradicting evidence. Atlantic Council is a reputable source, and claims are consistent with ongoing real-time discourse.
After four years of Russia’s invasion, time to stop underestimating Ukraine
As Russia's invasion of Ukraine enters its fifth year, analysts at the Atlantic Council argue that Ukraine's military capabilities have been systematically underestimated. The piece contends that Kyiv has evolved into a significant military power with strategic advantages that are often overlooked by Western observers. The analysis calls for a reassessment of Ukraine's position in the ongoing conflict.