[Putin Prepares Decisive Battle: The Economist Assesses the Threat to Ukraine]
On June 8, according to The Economist citing Ukrainian intelligence sources, Ukrainian cities are preparing for a decisive battle as Russia launches its summer offensive. The center of Russia's summer operations may focus on Konstantinovka and Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast.
In addition, the situation on the Sumy front is also concerning, where 50,000 Russian troops have gathered and are slowly advancing toward the provincial center.
The article points out that since the outbreak of Russia's full-scale war, Russian forces have made progress near the Donbas region for the first time in the north. Part of the reason is due to Ukraine's weak defensive fortifications, which were not designed to withstand drone attacks. Ukrainian military sources speculate that after establishing a buffer zone in the Sumy region, Russia will refocus on Donbas and Zaporizhzhia directions, continuing its attrition warfare.
At the same time, the article states that no strategic changes favorable to Russia have occurred along the front line in the past three years. Ukrainian sources indicate that Russian officers refer to the current offensive as "the final sprint," attempting to destroy Ukraine's willpower.
Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1834412829058048/
Disclaimer: This article solely represents the author's viewpoint.