The article discusses the slow but steady progress of Russian forces in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, highlighting both positive and negative developments for President Vladimir Putin. While Russia continues to advance, the pace is too slow to capture the entire Donbas territory within the next decade. The last major Ukrainian-held cities, Kramatorsk and Slovjansk, remain under Ukrainian control, with Lugansk already largely under Russian influence. Military analysts like Markus Reisner and Franz-Stefan Gady note that Russian advances rely on attritional tactics, gradually wearing down Ukrainian defenses through sustained pressure rather than direct assaults. They emphasize that Ukrainian forces are using advanced drones and other technology to maintain their positions, while Russian efforts focus on cutting supply lines to weaken Ukrainian resistance.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of the military situation in Donbas, citing analyses from both Russian and Ukrainian perspectives without overtly favoring either side. It reports on expert opinions from Western military analysts without taking a clear ideological stance, maintaining a centri





