Russia has intensified air and ground operations along several axes in Ukraine, according to the UK Ministry of Defence’s latest Defence Intelligence Update released on 18 April.
The report notes that “adjacent to Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod oblasts, Russian forces have conducted large-scale aerial attacks on the Ukrainian oblast of Sumy,” adding that it is “highly likely [Russia] intends to continue offensive activity in the region in order to reclaim the contested Kursk territory.”
The Sumy region, which borders Russia’s western frontier, has remained a flashpoint throughout the conflict. UK intelligence indicates that the renewed focus may signal Moscow’s attempt to regain lost ground or divert Ukrainian resources away from other fronts.
Further south in the contested eastern Donbas, the update states that “in central Donetsk oblast, Russia contests several key urban strongholds such as Toretsk and Chasiv Yar,” where assaults have continued throughout 2025.
However, “in southern Ukraine there have been few instances of Russian advances,” suggesting Russia is “highly likely… prioritising other axes.”
In the northeast, the strategic rail and logistics hub of Kupiansk also remains under threat. According to the update, “Russia has persisted in making assaults towards the rail and logistics hub of Kupiansk.” Notably, Russian forces have “maintained a bridgehead at the village of Zapadne, west of the Oskil river.”
Yet Ukrainian forces appear to be holding firm. The report highlights that “Ukrainian Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) and artillery strikes are reportedly hindering attempted Russian pontoon crossings.”
While Russia appears to be escalating pressure in multiple regions, the intelligence paints a picture of stiff Ukrainian resistance, with limited breakthroughs for Russian troops so far.
I best say some pro Ukrainian or I will branded a Russian bot, the fact is its stalemate there. Russia has the sleight upper hand as it does not care about losses. There will sadly be no peace this year and Europe simply can not supply the ammo Ukraine needs, yet, so any ideas?
We our selves have little left to give Ukraine either in equipment or ammo, and we are struggling to replace what we have sent. As the ground dries and a summer offensive nears or may have even started in places the out come is not Ukraine being defeated but no chance of them pushing Russia out.
Europe alone can supply Ukraine with all the equipment and munitions it needs to win the war. The Ukrainian military grows in strength daily as more and more is delivered, while Russia’s declines as it cannot replace the volume of tanks, APCs, aircraft it is losing. Ultimately the only advantage Russia will have is its foot soldiers for its meat-grinder tactics, and even Orcs can’t reproduce quickly enough to sustain that indefinitely.
The Russian advances are failing because they’re finally suffering the result of losses outstripping production (and regeneration from stores). Tank, APC, and artillery production can only cover a fraction of the daily losses. While Russia previously could draw on its old Soviet stockpiles to make up the gap, the majority of the these stocks have been used. What remains is the stocks not chosen the first time, due to decay or stock that has been previously cannibalised for spares to regenerate others.
So while Russian continues to throw human waves forward in attacks, it lacks the armour and artillery to support them. Resulting in less ground being gained while still suffering huge casualties in the process.
It will be interesting to see what Trump and his strange socially retarded vise president Vance do if Putin simply says ‘f#ck you to your deal’.
Will he double down on Ukraine support, (probably under a new Ukrainian leader), or do an ‘Afghanistan Biden’ and just pull away and let it fall, with the understanding that any attack on NATO won’t be tolerated?
I wonder….
Well Biden simply implemented the Trump deal on Afghanistan, which was to surrender to the Taliban. Looks like Trump wants Ukraine to surrender to Russia.
I wonder if that’d be his reaction if Russia re-occupied Alaska…
Let’s see if we can get this propaganda straight. On one hand, they say Russia can barely make any headway in Ukraine, and on the other, they say it’s going to invade Europe. What’s the deal? That’s what trolling is all about.
The advancing (very slowly) Russian Savilles must have observed large groups of women and children who need sexual assaulting, hence their keen efforts at moving forward! Give the Ukrainians the kit they need and let’s destroy Adolf Putins fascist fantasy!
the russian tactics are to probe and strike at points of weakness using their superiority in numbers, and it’s working very effectively, constantly switching pressure points
Nope it’s not. Their advances have slowed considerably due to their lack of military vehicles. So they’re still losing thousands of soldiers but to aquire even less mud.
And with 1/3 of their population and some western cast offs about to be scrapped the Ukrainians are making them pay in blood for every cm.
If only the USA would show some leadership NATO could tell them to withdraw or be pushed out.
As Russian trolls go you are not very convincing. Are you FSB or Reform?