Russia has launched a summer offensive targeting three key fronts: Ukraine’s northern Sumy region, the eastern cities of Pokrovsk and Kostyantynivka, and a new western front near Novopavlivka. Despite capturing 556 sq km last month – its largest territorial gain this year – the advance has slowed due to fierce Ukrainian resistance. Russian tactics involve small infantry groups conducting ‘creeping offensives’ to exhaust Ukrainian defenses, suffering over 1,000 daily casualties according to Kyiv. Moscow aims to create buffer zones and cut Ukrainian supply routes, but logistical challenges and drone warfare have hampered progress. Ukrainian forces report extreme difficulty in rotating troops and delivering supplies due to relentless Russian drone attacks on logistics routes.