It is noted that measures by Western allies to halt the offensive and a potential response from the Kremlin could lead to a dangerous escalation, further increasing the risk of a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO.
Russia has taken advantage of its firepower amid a slowdown in US aid and has stepped up attacks in several areas along the 1,000km front line.
The offensive towards Vovchansk has obviously lost momentum. However, Russia has made gradual but steady progress in the Donetsk region, particularly around the strategic city of Chasov Yar. Analysts say the city's fall threatens key settlements.
Russia's goal is not to achieve a major breakthrough, but rather to convince Ukraine that it can continue its relentless advance, kilometer by kilometer, along the front, experts say. This is significantly different from the initial strategy of the Russian aggressor, who wanted to capture Kiev in a few days.
The lack of air defense capabilities presents Ukraine with a difficult choice: focus them on protecting critical infrastructure or protect troops on the frontline. The continuation of Russia's long-range strike campaign means that the front is not only stretched laterally, but also extended in depth.
Washington and some NATO allies have responded to the offensive by allowing Kiev to use Western weapons for limited attacks on Russian territory. Some Western officials argue that Kiev has the right to use its weapons to attack military targets anywhere in Russia. Macron and NATO Baltic leaders have also talked about deploying troops to Ukraine. At the same time, Putin warns that this would be a serious escalation and threatens to respond by providing weapons to Western adversaries in other parts of the world.
Putin said NATO was wrong to believe Russia would not use its nuclear arsenal. He stressed that the Russian Federation will use "all means" if its sovereignty and territorial integrity are threatened. Putin also warned that Moscow is considering possible changes to its doctrine that determines when it will resort to nuclear weapons. Underscoring this, Russia conducted military exercises with combat nuclear weapons with the participation of Belarus.
Military defeat in Ukraine, according to Putin, would deal a death blow to Russian statehood, and he promised to achieve his goals “to the end”. Some Russian commentators have criticized Putin for failing to respond decisively to NATO's increased support for Kiev and for allowing the West to continually cross so-called red lines. Some have argued that if the damage from Ukrainian strikes deep into Russia with longer-range Western missiles continues to mount, then Moscow may strike NATO targets. The Kremlin seeks to constantly drain Ukrainian resources in order to force Kiev to accept a peace agreement on Russian terms.