Putin prepares summer offensive on the front, Ukraine responds with a wall of drones

In May, Russia sharply increased its missile and drone attacks throughout Ukraine, while simultaneously conducting offensive operations along the front line - from Sumy region to Zaporizhia. Kiev responded by forming a "wall of drones", writes CNN.

According to Ukrainian officials and Western analysts, the Kremlin is seeking to both undermine morale and reduce Ukraine's defense capabilities.

"Russia's main efforts this summer will again be directed against the key towns of Konstantinovka and Pokrovsk in Donetsk region," said Jack Watling of the Royal United Forces Institute (RUSI) in London.

Although Ukrainian troops were forced to retreat in some areas, particularly in the Donetsk region, drone technology is helping Kiev inflict serious losses on the enemy with minimal casualties. Ukraine continues to deploy a defense system based on unmanned aerial vehicles, known as the "drone wall", which provides multi-layered coverage of the front with modern UAVs.

According to experts, Ukraine has made progress in coordinating drones with artillery, which has allowed it to successfully destroy Russian assault groups. However, the effectiveness of this "wall" in the future will be influenced by the level of automation, artificial intelligence of drones and electronic warfare means.

Konrad Muzika, a defense analyst at Rochan Consulting, believes that "Ukrainian forces are becoming increasingly lethal thanks to the coordination of drones and artillery". "Russian attacks - based on motorcycles and armored vehicles - were defeated on several fronts with minimal losses for Ukraine in April," the expert added.

At the same time, Russia is increasing its own production of drones and missiles, in particular those capable of bypassing Ukrainian electronic warfare systems. According to the latest data, the Iranian Shahed kamikaze drone was recently spotted at a record altitude of 4900 meters.

Watling with RUSI predicts a difficult few months for Ukraine, which "will rely on the effectiveness of Ukrainian drone and artillery operations, the ability of Ukrainian commanders to maintain their troops and the continuity of supplies from Ukraine's international partners".

Summer offensive of the Russian Federation

Russia is preparing a large-scale escalation on the front in the summer of 2025 The main strikes are expected in the area of Konstantinovka and Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. The Kremlin is counting on simultaneous air pressure (massive drone and missile attacks) and a gradual ground offensive in small tactical groups. The goal is to exhaust Ukrainian defenses, break through their vulnerable areas, and force Kiev to make concessions.

At the same time, the operational-tactical group (OTG) "Kharkov" commented on whether there is a threat of an offensive by 50,000 Russian soldiers over the city. According to the military, such information, disseminated by foreign media, is not true.

The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky also revealed the goals of the summer offensive of the Russian Federation. He noted that the Russians are accumulating forces in the Sumy direction and are not changing their goals regarding offensive operations in the east and south of Ukraine.