Russia’s summer offensive appears to have stalled.
As NATO leaders meet in Washington to mark the alliance’s 75th anniversary and as Russia’s war against Ukraine approaches its 900th day, U.S. officials say it is highly unlikely that Moscow will make any significant territorial gains in the coming months.
Russian forces can still inflict pain, as evidenced by this week’s missile attacks that killed dozens of civilians — including at a children’s hospital in Kyiv — and by the rolling blackouts caused by Moscow’s strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
So where does the war stand now and what happens next? On The Power Vertical Podcast this week, host Brian Whitmore speaks with military analysts Michael Kofman of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Rob Lee of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, both of whom have just returned from a trip to the frontlines in eastern Ukraine. Enjoy…
SHOW NOTES
The opening audio clip comes from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s speech on July 9. The translation is as follows:
“We are doing and will always do everything to make Russian terror lose. And not only does our country need it, but everyone needs it, literally every partner, all nations.”
The clip opening the second segment comes from Zelensky’s speech on July 10. The translation is as follows:
“Today, we continue our work in Washington. Very soon, there will be a decision regarding the F-16s. We are increasing the number of aircraft available to Ukraine. Yesterday, we secured a decision on 5 more Patriots and dozens of other air defense systems for Ukraine, and today – a decision on aircraft.”
Michael Kofman’s Twitter thread analyzing the situation at the front, which was discussed on the podcast, can be accessed here.
Michael Kofman’s published work and his podcast episodes can be accessed here. The Russia Contingency Podcast can be accessed here.
Rob Lee’s published work can be accessed here. His Twitter feed can be accessed here.
The Power Vertical Newsletter on Substack can be accessed here. Recently published work by Brian Whitmore can be accessed here and here.