Russia 'bogged down' in Ukraine, suffering net territorial losses for first the time since 2023

Russia is experiencing net territorial losses in Ukraine for the first time since 2023, according to Peter Zalmayev of the Eurasia Democracy Initiative, who argues that Moscow's intensified attacks on Kyiv reflect political pressure on President Vladimir Putin. Zalmayev attributes Russia's stalled military campaign to growing casualties, declining territorial gains, and challenges from AI-enhanced drone warfare targeting oil infrastructure and logistics.