Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
In fact, most of us will not live as long as it would take with the current rate.
In fact, most of us will not live as long as it would take with the current rate.
What is happening?
In a bold declaration that’s reignited fears of full-scale war, Vladimir Putin claimed “all of Ukraine is ours” during a recent speech in St Petersburg.
His statement signals a potential return to the Kremlin’s early ambition of seizing the entire country—not just the eastern regions already under Russian control.
New Offensive Movements in Northern Ukraine
Russian forces have ramped up operations in Ukraine’s northern Sumy region, an area not previously included in Putin’s annexation plans.
This expansion suggests a renewed strategic push, catching global attention despite headlines still dominated by the Middle East and Iran.
The ‘Buffer Zone’ Narrative
Analysts point to Putin’s May visit to Russia’s Kursk region, where he proposed a 30km “buffer zone” inside Ukraine
While framed as a defensive measure, experts like Angelica Evans from the ISW say it was a calculated move to ease the idea of deeper incursions into Ukraine.
Civilian Targets Bear the Brunt
Recent Russian missile strikes have devastated civilian areas, including a deadly hit on a Kyiv apartment block that killed 18 and a train attack in Dnipropetrovsk that left 17 dead.
Analysts believe these assaults are designed to crush morale and depopulate key frontline towns.
A Steady Land Grab—But at a Crawl
Russia seized 588 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory in June, continuing a month-by-month rise.
However, at this pace, experts say it would take Russia seven decades to occupy the entire country.
Putin is 72 years old, meaning he will be 142 years old, if he is still alive by then.
Dnipropetrovsk in the Crosshairs
The reported fall of Dachne in Dnipropetrovsk marks a troubling new phase.
Ukraine has never fought a ground war in this region before, and its open terrain could allow Russian forces to advance more swiftly, potentially shifting the conflict’s geography.
The Luhansk Milestone
Russia claims to have taken full control of Luhansk—if verified, it would be the first Ukrainian region fully conquered by Russia since the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
Stalled Peace Efforts and Lingering Threats
Despite international efforts, including a failed push involving Donald Trump, peace negotiations have gone nowhere.
Putin himself has said talks are “nowhere close,” and Russian negotiators have hinted that the war could drag on for another 21 years.
A Dangerous Return to Original War Aims
The Kremlin’s 2022 decision to focus on Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia was seen as a retreat from its failed attempt to take Kyiv.
Now, signs suggest those early, more ambitious goals are back on the table—with Sumy and Kharkiv again under assault.
Troop Buildup Signals New Phase
Tens of thousands of Russian troops are reportedly amassing near Sumy, pointing to a possible new offensive.
Combined with territorial gains and aggressive rhetoric from Moscow, it appears Putin’s campaign is expanding far beyond his previously stated goals.
