Russian Forces Advance in Ukraine Amidst Heavy Losses and Shifting Recruitment Tactics
POKROVSK, UKRAINE – Russian forces are making incremental gains in eastern Ukraine, particularly around the Pokrovsk area, despite suffering critically importent casualties and appearing to adjust recruitment strategies, according to recent reports.
Ukraine’s military command reports nearly 14,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in the Pokrovsk area since late August. CNN has not independently verified these figures. A recent estimate by the center for Strategic and International Studies suggests substantial Russian losses.
Facing these setbacks, the Russian defense ministry is reportedly scaling back the generous sign-on bonuses previously offered to attract recruits. The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggests this indicates “diminishing returns” on financial incentives and may lead the Kremlin to consider mobilizing members of Russia’s active reserve “on a rolling basis” to sustain combat operations.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is focusing on long-range strikes against Russian energy infrastructure in an effort to compel negotiations. Ukrainian officials report accomplished strikes against 45 facilities in Russia’s fuel and energy sector since the beginning of the year, disrupting an estimated one-fifth of Russia’s refining capacity. Despite these efforts, Ukraine has been unable to secure a commitment from former President Trump to supply Tomahawk missiles.
More than 1,300 days after the full-scale invasion began,the conflict appears to be at a stalemate,with one expert observing that “Ukraine cannot destroy Russia’s war capacity,while Russia appears unable to militarily defeat Ukraine.” Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to signal any willingness to agree to a ceasefire or negotiations.