Russia launches twin offensives after failing to capture Donbas region.

Moscow’s efforts to outmaneuver Ukrainian defenses are running into unexpected resistance, revealing the limits of Russian operational capacity. In Zaporizhia, Ukrainian forces have fortified key positions, forcing Russian troops to commit disproportionate manpower and materiel for minimal gains. Meanwhile, in Dnipropetrovsk, Russia attempts to exploit thinner Ukrainian lines, but progress is slow and costly, highlighting the interdependence of the two offensives. Russian advances are further hindered by extensive Ukrainian drone coverage, which monitors approaches up to 15 kilometers behind the frontline and disrupts mechanized assaults. The Kremlin’s ambition to pin Ukrainian forces in place while outflanking them faces mounting obstacles, as logistical challenges and local terrain complicate every maneuver. Overall, the situation underscores that despite numerical superiority, Russian operations struggle to translate strategy into tangible results, giving Ukraine the advantage in both defense and counteraction.