Russia accelerates its summer offensive: target Pokrovsk and encirclement of Ukrainian forces

Moscow targets two strategic cities in Donbass to cut supplies to Kramatorsk. Kiev resists, while Europe intensifies military aid and the US slows down its support

Reformulated text: Russia is preparing to launch a new summer offensive in Ukraine, concentrating its forces on two strategic centres on the eastern front: Pokrovsk and Kostyantynivka. The goal is to encircle Ukrainian troops and cut off links to Kramatorsk, the administrative heart of the Donetsk oblast, which is already largely under Russian control. This is highlighted in an analysis by The Independent as the war enters its fourth year.

Despite the difficulties, Kiev is no longer on the defensive. Two years after the failed summer counteroffensive, Ukraine is showing signs of recovery. Operation Spiderweb, which reportedly hit a third of Russia’s strategic bombers, has boosted troop morale.

On the ground, Moscow is advancing slowly and with heavy losses: NATO estimates that around 950 Russian soldiers are being killed every day. After more than a year of attempts on Pokrovsk, Ukrainian forces have slowed the enemy’s advance and launched counterattacks.

Putin seems to have abandoned the idea of regime change in Kiev, but not that of completely annexing the regions of Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Luhansk and Donetsk, in addition to Crimea. The offensive is now focused on the eastern front and the northern border, with raids and the capture of small villages, increasing pressure on cities such as Sumy and Kharkiv.

Meanwhile, Russia is intensifying its aerial bombardments: every night, Ukraine is targeted by drones and missiles, while the lack of air defence systems, particularly American Patriots, makes interception difficult. The latest attack on Kiev was described by Zelensky as “one of the most serious since the start of the war”.

Russian forces are also deploying fibre-optic drones, which are more accurate and resistant to jamming systems, and have been used successfully in the Kursk region.

Ukraine, while not yet strong enough to repel the invader, continues to resist. According to The Independent, the situation could improve within the next year thanks to European aid, which will compensate for the slowdown in US support. Trump has not allocated new funds, but $3.8 billion already approved by Biden remains.

NATO has announced €20 billion in new aid. Germany will send long-range bombs, the UK has allocated £350 million for 100,000 drones and has already delivered 144,000 rounds of ammunition. The Netherlands and Norway have also prepared new support packages.

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