The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin is planning an autumn offensive to capture the remaining parts of Donbass. Recent troop movements suggest a focus on Donetsk, with elite forces being relocated from other regions. This comes amid ongoing efforts to arrange peace talks between Ukrainian President Zelensky and Putin.
Putin Plans Autumn Offensive in Ukraine, Says ISW
Putin Plans Autumn Offensive in Ukraine, Says ISW
Putin is repositioning soldiers at the front. The actions of the Russian troops suggest that Moscow will focus on capturing the rest of Donbass in an autumn offensive. This is according to a recent analysis by the think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had a lengthy handshake when they met in Alaska. Trump's goal was swift peace – but Putin seems not to have listened.
Instead, the bombing has continued to rain down on Ukrainian cities. Last week, Russia carried out one of the most extensive attacks on Ukraine since the war began. At least 25 people were killed and 63 were injured.
Forces Reallocated
Now, much points to Vladimir Putin attempting to seize the entire Donbass, according to an analysis by the Institute for the Study of War.
This aligns with what he is reportedly demanding in a peace agreement.
Donbass consists of the two regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, and one of Putin's goals with the war is to take control of these two areas.
Recently, Russian elite forces have been moved from the Sumy and Kherson regions to Donbass. According to the war research institute ISW, this indicates that a new offensive is imminent.
"The Russian command's reallocation of forces from northern Sumy to Donetsk suggests that Russia is deprioritizing its offensive operations in Sumy," writes ISW.
Ukraine Controls 30 Percent
According to ISW, it seems that the Russian military will focus on Dobropillja, Pokrovsk, and Kostjantynivka, with the goal of capturing the 30 percent of Donetsk that Ukraine still controls.
Meanwhile, efforts continue to arrange a meeting between Zelensky and Putin.
On Thursday, Zelensky is set to travel to Paris for a meeting with European leaders. Donald Trump is not expected to attend this meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss how peace negotiations can take place.