Ukraine Recaptures Territory as Generals Fear Telling Putin the Truth

The Russian army's advance has slowed dramatically, with Ukrainian forces mounting a persistent defense and no indication of a front collapse. While Russia aims to capture the last major Ukrainian-held cities in Donetsk, Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, the timeline for this objective remains uncertain, even for Putin.

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If we compare the speed of the Russian army's advance (on the front) with what it was a year ago or earlier, it has decreased tenfold. Or even more. In fact, strategic resources (of the Russian army) are being destroyed in the Konstantynivka and Lyman direction.

Western analysts initially predicted a Russian victory by autumn, but now express doubts about Putin achieving this goal even by the year's end. Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt noted in the Kyiv Independent that Putin may still believe in his army's ability to control the Donetsk region, but his generals are hesitant to inform him of the challenges.

Meanwhile, American analyst Leslie Shedd of the Atlantic Council described a "secret counteroffensive" by Ukrainian forces in the Zaporizhzhia steppes, near Orekhov and Huliaipole, where Ukrainian units are advancing. However, the exact situation is difficult to ascertain as the Ukrainian General Staff has pressured analytical groups to withhold precise troop locations, a move that also hinders Russian intelligence gathering.

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Of course, Putin still seems to believe that his army will be able to take full control of the Donetsk region, but his generals are still afraid of the consequences of telling him that this is impossible.

One soldier recounted an incident where their unit encountered enemy forces four kilometers before a village, an unexpected encounter as commanders believed the Russians were much further away. Ukrainian expert Oleksiy Hetman stated that under the new Chief of Staff Mykhailo Zabrodskyi, they have advanced approximately 25 kilometers in the region, a significant distance at this stage of the war. In July, Ukraine liberated as much territory in the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions as Russia had captured, achieving a parity of 25-30 kilometers.

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They sent us on reconnaissance to a village, but four kilometers before it, we ran into the enemy; nobody expected them there. Our commanders thought they were much further away, beyond the village.

Western analysts also point to the construction of over 3,500 kilometers of fortifications across Ukraine behind the front lines, indicating a long-term defensive strategy. This comes as Ukrainian forces continue to push back, reclaiming territory and demonstrating resilience against the prolonged Russian offensive.

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Under the command (of the new Chief of General Staff) Mykhailo Zabrodskyi, we have moved about 25 kilometers there. At the current stage of the war, this is a very large distance. In July, we liberated as much territory (in the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions – ed.) as the enemy managed to capture. We have parity with them, and it measures 25-30 kilometers.