“Putin gives the Defense Minister a deadline to stop the Ukrainian counterattack.” Ukraine-Russia war

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu will have until early October to turn the situation on the front in the Russians’ favour, according to the World War Institute, which relies on a source in Putin’s inner circle. She added: “Shoigu must stop the Ukrainian counterattack and ensure that the Russians regain control.”

Putin first acknowledged the Ukrainian counterattack in early June. But he then stressed that the Ukrainians would not make significant progress “because of the strong Russian defense.” The president said that Kiev would lose mainly Western manpower and military equipment. But according to the Institute for the Study of War, it is the Russians who have made the few gains recently.

Putin may want to create the illusion that the Ukrainian counteroffensive has no tactical or operational implications, despite significant support from the West. But this operation can only succeed in the long term if the Russian Armed Forces can actually prevent Ukrainian forces from penetrating and reclaiming large areas.

Therefore, the approaching deadline set by Shoigu indicates that the Russian army is planning to launch a new series of attacks against Ukraine. In this way, they will reportedly try to prevent a Ukrainian counterattack. She added: “Even if it comes at the expense of Russian military capabilities.”