Russia is increasing its military attacks on Ukraine, threatening to expand battles in a period of intense uncertainty about US support for Kiev.

Moscow seems to be targeting on two fronts in Ukraine. Specifically, in recent weeks, it has gathered forces and, despite the heavy losses, has made rural areas on either side of Pokovsk and Kostiadinovka, which are on crossroads leading to the forefront from larger cities and from there to Ukrainian controlled region.

The Russian forces, which have numerical supremacy, cut in May the main road connecting Pokrovsk and Costinovka, complicating Ukrainian movements and refueling efforts.

“The Russian advance is intercepted, but their passage from the Pokovsk-Kosiadinivka highway is a strategy and logistical regression,” said Victor Trachubov, a spokesman for the Group of Forces.

Analysts and military commanders argue that Moscow’s goal is maximizing its territorial profits before seriously considering a complete ceasefire of fire. On the other hand, Ukraine wants to slow down Russian advance for as much as possible. So far, however, US President Donald Trump’s efforts have failed to achieve a ceasefire in the full -scale invasion of Russia in 2022.

Russia is seeking maximum profits in Donetsk

One of the goals of the Russian attack is The occupation of the rest of Donetsk area. There is also the biggest battle. Unable to directly cope with the strategically important Pokovsk logistics hub, Russian forces are trying to encircle the city, a maneuver that requires the border of the DniePropetrovsk region. The transfer of war to a sixth Ukrainian region would be detrimental to the Ukrainian morale and would give Russia a greater influence on the negotiations if its forces manage to create a bridge there.

Ukrainian commanders are afraid that Russia will go deeper As Ukraine continues to face Serious deficiencies in soldiers and supplies Throughout the first line of 1,200 kilometers. Commanders argue that fierce battles are taking place, with drones constantly crossing the sky. Ukrainian forces remain in battle positions for several weeks or more, based on supplies carried by drones.

The goal of the Russians “is simply to enter the DniePropetrovsk region, to have a good political position if the presidents negotiate peace,” said Andriy Nazorenko, a 72nd Brigade Commander, a unit of unmanned aircraft in the East Aircraft. Putin.

Uninterrupted attacks on Sumi

Ukrainian forces are facing small groups and in the area of ​​Sumi. The Ukrainian forces intensified their own attacks in the area in April, and even carried out a small attack on the neighboring Kursk area of ​​Russia to prevent the movement of up to 60,000 Russian forces, which had been hardened to the battles, to reinforce their positions in Alexander Srski. If these troops had moved, they could have increased the pace of Russian attacks on the front line.

At the moment, Russian forces have penetrated up to 7 kilometers into the northern Sumi area from different directions along the border. The Ukrainian forces are determined to keep them there and so far they have succeeded, trapping up to 10,000 Russian soldiers only in the Gluskovsky area of ​​Kursk, where Ukraine maintains a small presence after being mostly expelled from Russian and north.

The Ukrainian Deepstate blog, which uses open source data to map the front line, said the Russian army in June occupied 556 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory, which, he said, was the largest monthly land loss in November. He also said that the Russian advancements in June near Pokrovsk and the nearby noviovae represented more than half of all Russian advances along the entire first line across Ukraine.

Trashubov said Pokovsk and Costinivka remain Ukrainian logistical supports, despite the failures and activity of unmanned aircraft that make certain defensive fortifications less effective.

All eyes on Trump

And while the Russians are constantly gaining Ukrainian territories, the Ukrainian President, Volodimir Zelenski He hopes that Donald Trump will continue his support in Ukraine.

The two presidents met last week on the sidelines of the NATO Summit and discussed a possible package of weapons, including Patriot missile systems that Ukraine intends to buy with European support. However, new statements by the White House that they are suspending some weapons missions to Ukraine, however, without specifying which are certainly a blow to Ukraine who is struggling to face daily Russian air attacks.

Zelenski also hopes that Trump will punish Russia by imposing stricter sanctions on his energy and banking sector, who finance the Kremlin’s war effort.

“Any delay or hesitation in supporting Ukraine’s defensive potential will only encourage the attacker to continue war and terrorism and does not seek peace,” the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry called on Wednesday the deputy head of the US Embassy to Ukraine John Hinkel to discuss current defense cooperation.

Undersecretary of State Mariana Betsa thanked the US for their continued support, but stressed the “critical importance” of maintaining previously disposed of defense packages, in particular to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense.

Analysts, however, estimate that Ukraine’s European allies can fill some of the gaps and provide artillery systems. But they do not have alternatives for Himars and air defense systems manufactured in the US, especially Patriot, which are vital to the defense of Ukrainian cities.