The collapse of the Russian summer offensive in Ukraine
The Kremlin"s summer campaign in Ukraine has collapsed, with many of its ambitious goals proving to be a pure illusion, according to an in-depth analysis by the German publication Bild. According to experts, the three-month efforts of the Russian forces have ended in a clear failure, with none of Moscow"s strategic tasks being fulfilled.
One of the most telling examples of this collapse is the dramatic clash for the city of Pokrovsk. While in early August Russian units managed to penetrate deep into the heart of the settlement, their offensive was stopped and reversed. By the end of the same month, all Russian forces in the city had either been destroyed or captured, which cemented the failure of the operation.
However, the failure is not limited to the front lines. The Kremlin"s plan to create a vast "buffer zone" along the border, stretching 600 kilometers through the Chernihiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions, also failed. Instead of establishing control over this vast territory, Russian forces managed to hold less than 70 kilometers along the border. This demonstrates a serious inability to achieve the declared strategic goals.
Bild military observer Julian Röpcke emphasizes that the total territorial advance of Russian troops for the entire summer amounts to just 1800 square kilometers. This insignificant change, representing just 0.3% of Ukraine"s total territory, is far from the initial expectations of the Russian military leadership. At the same time, the front line in the southern part of the country, in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, remains static, with no noticeable changes in the position of the forces.
While the Russian land offensive is losing momentum, Ukrainian forces continue to inflict heavy blows deep in the enemy"s rear. Successful attacks against Russian oil refineries have led to the destruction or temporary inoperability of 17% of the country"s production capacity. The consequences of these actions are already being felt in Russia in the form of shortages and a significant increase in fuel prices, which directly affects the economy and the lives of ordinary citizens.
Bild"s analysis presents a grim picture of the Kremlin"s military operations, describing them as a series of strategically misguided steps that not only fail to achieve their goals but also lead to serious internal problems for Russia. Against this backdrop, Ukraine is showing an ability to adapt and inflict asymmetric strikes, which undermines both the military and economic power of the aggressor.