Russia’s Summer Push Across Ukraine Hits Wall Amid Fierce Ukrainian Resistance
Russia’s largest territorial push in Ukraine this year is slowing, despite Moscow’s attempt to open a third front in the country’s northeast. Ukrainian forces have stalled advances in the Sumy region, near Pokrovsk, and between key eastern cities, where fierce resistance continues to frustrate Russian progress.
In June, Russian troops captured 556 square kilometers of land an area roughly the size of Chicago according to the open-source platform DeepState, which tracks movements across the battlefield. This marks Moscow’s most extensive land gain in 2025.
Russian forces have focused attacks on three areas: the Sumy region along the northeast border, Pokrovsk and Kostyantynivka in the east, and a corridor west of Pokrovsk. While Russia’s aim appears to be severing Ukrainian supply routes and carving out a buffer zone inside Ukraine, Ukrainian defenses have prevented further breakthroughs.
In Sumy, Russian troops advanced 10 to 12 kilometers across the border before being halted by sustained counterattacks. Control of small villages in the region continues to shift, with neither side establishing firm hold. Russia has also claimed entry into Kharkiv Oblast but has yet to deploy significant reinforcements.
Moscow’s strategy relies on exhausting Ukrainian defenses across the 1,200-kilometer front, stretching their capacity to protect key positions. One of the most contested locations remains Pokrovsk, a strategic eastern hub. Ukraine’s army chief, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, reported that Russia has massed more than 111,000 troops in the area.
Ukrainian Lieutenant Artem Pribylnov, positioned near Pokrovsk, said Russian assaults come in waves. “They rarely send in large units,” he stated. “Instead, they use small infantry groups, sometimes on motorbikes, to keep pushing. Drones quickly target any major movement.”
This approach has inflicted heavy costs. Ukraine’s General Staff reported Russian losses exceeding 1,000 soldiers daily. While independent verification is unavailable, the numbers reflect the intensity of the fighting.
In the Donetsk region, Russian forces aim to trap Ukrainian defenders by encircling Pokrovsk and Kostyantynivka. Major Viktor Trehubov, a spokesman for the Khortytsya command, said Russian troops are trying to wedge into the area between the two cities to build a position for further assaults. However, progress has slowed.
Russia’s biggest recent gain came west of Pokrovsk in the Novopavlivske direction. After Ukrainian defenses collapsed in that sector, Russian troops advanced nearly 10 kilometers per day. Russian bloggers claimed troops had entered the Dnipropetrovsk region for the first time since the invasion began. Ukrainian officials denied this, saying the soldiers only briefly entered a village for propaganda photos before being eliminated.
The Institute for the Study of War later confirmed that some Russian activity continues in the area. However, Trehubov emphasized the area holds little tactical value. “The attack was more about sending a political message than securing a battlefield advantage,” he explained.
Back near the front, Ukraine faces increasing supply challenges. Russian drones have made many routes impassable, both during the day and night.
“Our usual roads are too dangerous now,” Staff Sergeant Viktor Pyasetskyi from Ukraine’s 93rd Brigade said by phone from near Kostyantynivka. “We can’t move food, ammo, or evacuate the wounded quickly. The drones reach everywhere.”
Russian drones like the long-range Gerbera are now targeting civilian areas in addition to military positions. “They are trying to break people’s spirit,” Pyasetskyi said. “They want to scare the population and make us lose faith in winning.”
As he spoke, the sound of drones grew louder. Moments later, reports came in of an apartment building hit nearby. Pyasetskyi later confirmed he survived the strike.
Russia’s summer offensive, while gaining ground in limited sectors, continues to face setbacks on key fronts. Ukrainian forces are holding firm, and Moscow’s attempt to stretch Ukraine’s defenses appears to be stalling under mounting losses.
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