🚀 After months of slow movement, russia’s occupying army is showing its fastest advance since the beginning of the year. At the same time, the country is launching the most powerful missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities since the start of the war, reports The New York Times.
Source: PRYAMYI
🎯 Military analysts note that russia initiated a coordinated breakthrough attempt just as the first direct peace talks with Ukraine since 2022 began.
📍 The main focus is Donbas, where the russians used the winter pause to prepare equipment, improve communications, and modernize drones.
🐢 Despite local successes, the advance remains slow. Analysts doubt russia will achieve any decisive gains this summer that could shift the course of the war.
💣 Meanwhile, the russian army has intensified its air and drone campaign, targeting Ukrainian infrastructure and civilian sites. According to DeepState, in May, russia captured an average of 5.5 square miles per day.
🎭 The kremlin has not commented on the offensive, although putin claims russia is creating a “buffer zone” to allegedly protect its citizens. He continues to insist on eliminating the “root causes” of the conflict.
📉 The aim of the strikes is to deplete Ukraine’s air defenses and apply pressure on its society. The NYT article mentions that some upgraded Shahed (Geran) drones with new engines have become more effective and harder to destroy.
📊 Analysts believe putin wants to strengthen his position ahead of the next round of talks. “russia is used to waging war and negotiating at the same time,” notes RAND Corporation expert Samuel Charap.
🔁 At the same time, many analysts and the governments of Ukraine and the EU are convinced that putin is not committed to genuine peace: the new offensive only further undermines trust in his intentions.
💥 Opposition russian experts warn that the campaign could backfire, as the economy and army are being drained. But for now—the offensive continues.
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