Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukrainian forces are successfully holding back Russian advances during what appears to be a renewed summer offensive along key parts of the front line. Speaking to reporters, Zelenskyy acknowledged the intensity of the fighting, describing conditions as “tough” for Ukrainian troops but stressing that Russian forces are also struggling to make gains.
“They’re not moving forward,” Zelenskyy said. “It’s very difficult for our guys, but it’s also very difficult for the Russians — and that works to our advantage.”
The war, now well into its fourth year following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has become a grueling war of attrition. Both sides are locked in entrenched positions, suffering heavy casualties while vying for strategic ground. Although Russia possesses a greater supply of manpower and military resources, Ukraine continues to resist with resilience and has stepped up its appeals to Western allies for advanced defensive systems.
One of Ukraine’s key priorities is strengthening its air defence network in the face of increased Russian aerial assaults. Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, has endured repeated attacks, including two consecutive days of powerful glide bomb strikes. On Friday, seven people were wounded in the latest bombing; the previous day, 42 civilians were injured in similar attacks. These intensified bombings underscore Russia’s ongoing strategy of targeting urban centers and critical infrastructure.
Meanwhile, in the Donetsk region, Russian reconnaissance and sabotage units have attempted multiple small-scale incursions near Pokrovsk. Zelenskyy revealed that these operations — sometimes involving as few as two to six operatives — were largely symbolic in nature, with Russian forces trying to film propaganda footage such as raising a national flag. According to Zelenskyy, Ukrainian defenders have successfully repelled these efforts. In one instance, a group of 12 Russian troops attempting to hold a position was reportedly eliminated.
The situation on other fronts has also seen developments. In the northeastern border region of Sumy, where fighting had intensified earlier this year, Zelenskyy noted signs of improvement, attributing the progress to Ukrainian defensive efforts over the past six weeks.
As Ukraine continues to confront both ground assaults and aerial bombardments, President Zelenskyy is doubling down on efforts to secure additional U.S.-made Patriot missile systems. Ukraine is aiming to obtain 10 of these advanced air defence batteries, three of which have already been pledged by Germany and Norway. The remaining systems are still under negotiation. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine’s current focus is on securing funding for the full set, and discussions are underway to potentially acquire licensing to domestically produce the Patriot systems in the future.
The humanitarian toll of the ongoing war is worsening. Joyce Msuya, the United Nations’ deputy humanitarian chief, told the UN Security Council that the situation in Ukraine is “deteriorating rapidly” due to the growing number of Russian attacks on civilian areas. “There is no safe place left in Ukraine,” she warned, highlighting the increasing difficulty of protecting non-combatants from the effects of the conflict.
Despite the escalation on the battlefield, diplomatic progress remains elusive. Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about the potential for meaningful dialogue with Moscow. However, he acknowledged that Russian envoys have floated the idea of a summit between the two nations’ leaders. Zelenskyy maintains that any path to ending the war must begin with such a high-level meeting.
“We need a resolution, and that probably starts with a meeting between the presidents. There’s no other way with them,” he stated.
However, the Kremlin has dismissed the prospect of a leaders’ summit in the near future. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Moscow’s stance that any such meeting would be premature without a detailed agreement already in place. “A top-level meeting should only take place to finalize a peace settlement and confirm terms that have been thoroughly negotiated by expert teams,” Peskov said.
As the war continues to evolve with no definitive end in sight, Ukraine remains focused on defending its territory, shoring up international support, and pursuing military advancements to counter Russia’s ongoing aggression.
