Putin Fires Top General as Russia Prepares Massive Summer Offensive

Russia’s sudden dismissal of its ground forces commander amid stalled Istanbul peace talks signals a pivotal shift in strategy as the Kremlin prepares for a decisive summer campaign. The move reflects growing frustration over stalled battlefield progress and a desire to replace incremental advances with aggressive, high-risk offensives. Moscow is now using diplomacy as a smokescreen—delaying meaningful talks while repositioning for a multi-front assault aimed at breaking Ukrainian defenses. With a brutal new commander known for costly but fast-paced operations, Russia appears to be betting everything on rapid military gains before negotiations resume. As pressure mounts on both sides, this coming phase may determine not just control of territory, but the war’s eventual trajectory.