Russian troops are reportedly refusing to carry out offensive actions in parts of the Donetsk region, as mounting losses, lack of equipment, and collapsing morale undermine the Kremlin’s military efforts. Military experts say Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is likely to shift his war goals towards the symbolic full occupation of Donetsk in a desperate summer campaign.
According to military analyst and founder of the “Reactive Mail” charity organisation, Pavel Narozhny, Russia’s war machine is showing visible signs of exhaustion. Speaking on Channel 24, he said Russian forces are severely lacking artillery and tanks, while their military-industrial complex struggles to keep pace with demand due to declining production.
“We have practically destroyed their warehouses filled with armoured vehicles and artillery,” Narozhny said, emphasising Ukraine’s effective targeting of key Russian stockpiles. He added that despite crippling setbacks, Putin continues to prepare for a summer offensive, focusing on the Donetsk direction where Russian forces are gathering.
The current strategy seems to include advancing through Toretsk towards Konstantinivka, then pushing for Pokrovsk, Slavyansk, and eventually Kramatorsk. Narozhny believes this move is intended to claim symbolic control over the entire Donetsk region. However, he points out that Russian troops have failed to take Chasiv Yar for over a year, a critical obstacle that makes further progress unlikely in the near term.
Chaos and fatigue are reportedly spreading across the Russian ranks, with some units outright refusing to attack. Experts warn that, even if the Kremlin sees minor gains in the direction of the Dnipropetrovsk region, this would not be the final objective. Russia would likely try to push deeper, despite lacking the operational capacity to sustain such advances.
Military analyst Oleksandr Musienko supported this view, saying there is no sign that Russia can achieve any major victories on the battlefield, whether strategic or tactical. Instead, he suggested the Kremlin’s aims are now largely focused on propaganda. By attempting to reach administrative borders, Putin hopes to create the illusion of victory and weaken Ukrainian morale.
“These goals have no military substance,” Musienko stated. “They are designed to produce media narratives rather than achieve real success.” He explained that the Russian army has concentrated its efforts on two key sectors—Pokrovsk and Liman—as it lacks the resources to operate along the full frontline.
Musienko said previous Russian attacks in other directions, including in southern Zaporizhzhia, have ended in failure due to strong Ukrainian resistance. This, he argued, is why Russian reserves are now being transferred to a narrow focus around Pokrovsk, aimed at gaining enough ground to serve propaganda purposes.
Despite the buildup, analysts remain sceptical about the Russian army’s ability to hold or advance further.
