Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that Russia can gradually absorb Ukraine through a slow-moving offensive and by wearing down Ukrainian forces, according to analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Have not Changed Outlook
Despite recent Ukrainian operations in the Kursk region, which have impacted Russian forces, these efforts have not changed Putin’s overall strategic outlook, according to Ziare.
ISW analysts suggest that Putin is confident that Russia can achieve its objectives through a war of attrition, without needing to negotiate peace on any terms other than the capitulation of Ukraine and the West. This belief underpins his unwillingness to consider peace talks unless they meet his demands.
In a recent development, Russian forces targeted civilian infrastructure and a military academy in Poltava with Iskander-M ballistic missiles, causing significant casualties.
Intends to Hold Their Ground
The broader impact of Ukraine's incursions into the Kursk region on the war or any potential diplomatic solutions remains unclear, and it is too early to draw definitive conclusions about Ukraine's ability to shift the conflict's trajectory or force the Kremlin to the negotiating table.
The United States has announced plans to supply Ukraine with long-range surface-to-air missiles (JASSM), though these will not be delivered for several months, according to reports from Reuters. This move signals ongoing Western support for Ukraine, despite the protracted nature of the conflict.
On the ground, Russian forces have made notable advances in eastern Ukraine, gaining several square miles of territory daily, particularly in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the difficult situation in the east but noted that Russian advances had stalled in recent days.
Zelensky also stated that Ukraine intends to hold onto the Russian territories it captured during its surprise incursion into the Kursk region last month, aiming to pressure Putin into negotiations.
