"Putin's Alleged Order to Halt Ukraine's Counteroffensive: A Costly Strategy Revealed"

An insider source claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin has given his defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, until early October to halt Ukraine's counteroffensive and launch a serious offensive against a larger Ukrainian city. This may explain why Russia is engaging in costly counterattacks, as Putin's demand to improve Russia's standing on the frontlines could be driving the relentless military actions. The Institute for the Study of War suggests that previous instances of purging commanders who offered negative views and pursuing unachievable military objectives may be linked to the fear of losing Putin's favor.