Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi announced that Russian military personnel losses have surpassed 100,000 since the start of 2025. This figure reflects the ongoing success of Ukrainian defense forces in combating Russian troops across the entire front line. Syrskyi attributed this significant loss to the coordinated efforts and professionalism of Ukrainian defenders. The statement was made via a Facebook post.
Despite initially supporting a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire, President Zelenskyy denounced continued Russian attacks across multiple Ukrainian cities, citing over 2,380 attacks this week alone. He emphasized the need for a “just and lasting peace” secured through sustained international pressure on Russia, including intensified sanctions. Zelenskyy’s statement follows discussions between US and Russian diplomats on ending the conflict and a call from President Putin for Ukrainian troops’ surrender in Kursk. This underscores the ongoing conflict and the challenges in achieving a peaceful resolution.
Recent large-scale Ukrainian drone strikes targeted multiple Russian cities, including Moscow, impacting oil refineries and military airfields. A significant blow was the attack on a Druzhba pipeline control station, halting oil exports to Central Europe, particularly Hungary, and causing Hungary’s foreign minister to deem it an attack on their sovereignty. This disruption underscores Russia’s reliance on energy exports and its influence over Hungary’s energy sector. Continued Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure could further pressure Russia to negotiate a ceasefire.
Canada recently committed an additional $34.8 million CAD to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, bringing its total contribution to over $41 million CAD. This funding, alongside a previously disbursed $1.7 billion loan secured from frozen Russian assets, will aid in repairing critical energy infrastructure damaged by Russian attacks. The contribution will specifically support the restoration of energy facilities, ensuring stable energy operations, and bolstering the healthcare sector through solar energy development. International collaboration, including contributions from countries like Iceland and Italy, remains vital in sustaining Ukraine’s energy sector.
Following Russian objections to his involvement, General Keith Kellogg’s role as special envoy has been adjusted. He will now focus solely on Ukraine, maintaining his direct relationship with President Zelenskyy. Russian officials reportedly deemed Kellogg overly sympathetic to Kyiv, leading to his exclusion from recent high-level discussions, including a Saudi Arabia meeting where a 30-day ceasefire was tentatively agreed upon. Despite this agreement, Russian President Putin subsequently expressed reservations about the ceasefire proposal.
Following a virtual summit of the “coalition of the willing,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer deemed Russia’s response to a US-proposed Ukraine ceasefire insufficient. The coalition, comprising approximately 25 nations, agreed to maintain military aid to Ukraine and economic pressure on Russia to force negotiations. Military leaders from Ukraine’s allies will meet in the UK to prepare for a potential peace deal and guarantee Ukraine’s security. Despite Russia’s ambiguous response and ongoing military actions, including recent territorial gains in Kursk, the coalition remains committed to achieving a lasting peace.
During a recent interview, Donald Trump clarified his past campaign statements regarding a swift resolution to the Russo-Ukrainian War, admitting to employing sarcasm. He maintained, however, a belief in his ability to broker peace, asserting confidence in his relationship with Putin. This admission follows numerous prior claims of resolving the conflict within 24 hours, even before his inauguration. Currently, his administration is actively pursuing a U.S.-proposed ceasefire, with his special envoy engaging in talks in Moscow.
These actions collectively hinder Ukrainian efforts to reunite children separated from their families and to investigate Russian war crimes, due to funding freezes and the dismantling of USAID. Furthermore, the Trump administration’s actions, including installing Pete Marocco and a rebuke of President Zelenskyy, demonstrate a potential shift towards aligning with Russian interests, as evidenced by the suspension (and later reinstatement) of vital intelligence sharing. Marocco’s past meetings with pro-Russian separatists further underscore this concerning trend.
The escalating conflict in Ukraine features a notable drone warfare trend: Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian drone factories. A recent attack targeted a facility near Moscow, extending the range of Ukrainian deep strikes and aiming to disrupt Russian drone production. This follows an earlier strike on a factory in Yelabuga, highlighting a strategic effort to counter Russia’s attempts to match Ukraine’s drone superiority. The Ukrainian strategy aims to maintain its crucial advantage in drone technology and deployment, impacting the battlefield dynamics significantly.
Kyiv and its partners concur that strengthening Ukraine and Europe is achievable within five years, though a three-year timeline is considered more desirable and feasible. This accelerated approach necessitates a significant collaborative effort, including increased production across allied nations to establish robust security guarantees. Crucially, this involves bolstering Ukraine’s military—a shared responsibility due to the substantial financial burden—and developing Ukrainian technologies to fortify the nation’s long-term security and economic prospects. This strengthening will serve as a security guarantor for both Ukraine and Europe.
John Q. Hosedrinker