- Will Russia capture Rai-Oleksandrivka by December 31?45¢
Ukrainian counteroffensives in northern Donetsk, including Operation Vivaldi near Lyman and Slovyansk, have produced verified advances around Rai-Oleksandrivka, with Russian milbloggers acknowledging Ukrainian forces liberating nearby settlements and pushing north of the village. These operations disrupted Russian attempts to consolidate positions east of the Siverskyi Donets River and approach the Kramatorsk-Slovyansk defensive belt. As of mid-October 2026, Ukrainian statements and open-source assessments indicate net territorial gains for Kyiv in the sector since September, contradicting Russian claims of control over the settlement or surrounding areas. Ongoing Ukrainian strikes on Russian logistics and tactical counterattacks continue to shape the local frontline, while Russian forces conduct limited probes without confirmed consolidation. Resolution of any capture market would depend on verified ground control by the specified deadline amid fluid infantry and drone activity.
Rules
This market will resolve to “Yes” if, according to the ISW map, Russia captures the intersection at 48.810403° N, 37.851396° E in Rai-Oleksandrivka, Donetsk Oblast, between market creation and the specified date, 11:59 PM ET. The intersection will be considered captured if any part of the intersection is shaded under a below specified layer on the ISW map (https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/36a7f6a6f5a9448496de641cf64bd375) by the resolution date. Otherwise, the market will resolve to “No”. For any change on the ISW map to qualify for this market’s resolution, the relevant shading must persist through the next full ISW daily update cycle. If ISW skips a day, shading must persist until the next finalized ISW update is published, regardless of the date. Any continuous shading under the following layers will qualify: - Assessed Russian-Controlled Terrain - Assessed Russian Advances Shading under the following layers will not qualify: - Assessed Russian Infiltration Areas - Claimed Russian Territory Once a qualifying condition is met, any subsequent loss of control will not be considered towards the resolution of this market. If Russia comes into control of the specified territory as a result of a negotiated settlement, this will qualify for a 'Yes' resolution, regardless of whether it is shaded under a qualifying layer on the ISW map. However, an announcement of a negotiated settlement that gives Russia de jure control will not qualify. Actual control must be established. Intersection Location: https://polymarket-upload.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/Rai-Oleksandrivka1.png Intersection Location in Rai-Oleksandrivka: https://polymarket-upload.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/Rai-Oleksandrivka2.png Rai-Oleksandrivka Location: https://polymarket-upload.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/Rai-Oleksandrivka3.png Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/98NiyN9BC3XQfy3N7 The primary resolution source for this market will be the ISW Ukraine map. If the ISW map is rendered unavailable, information from DeepStateMap (https://deepstatemap.live/) may be used. If information from both the ISW and DeepStateMap are rendered permanently unavailable, a consensus of credible reporting may be used. Note: Any temporary glitches or errors in the map will not be considered.