Putin’s Donetsk Drive Faces Reality Check as Russians Press Near Slovyansk

ISW reports Russian forces have advanced east of Slovyansk and are securing positions east and southeast of the city to set up frontal assaults toward Slovyansk and the Fortress Belt; Putin continues to push a rapid Donetsk Oblast takeover, likely underestimating battlefield realities. Zelensky reportedly presented a Ukraine-US-Europe proposal to end the war that would entail significant Ukrainian concessions, while Moscow remains unwilling to compromise on core demands. Ukraine is widening an intermediate-range strike campaign into occupied territory (including Crimea) to degrade Russia’s strike and air defenses, even as Russia escalates drone and air attacks; Ukrainian long-range strikes target Russian logistics and infrastructure, with Russia launching 127 drones overnight.