"Assessing Russian Advances and Failures in Ukraine's Offensive Campaign"

Russian forces have made confirmed gains in Ukraine's Donetsk oblast, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), with advances near Kreminna, Bakhmut, and Avdiivka. Geolocated footage shows Russian forces entering Sieverne and capturing Lastochkyne, while other maps indicate advances in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. The ISW believes Moscow's forces have regained "theater-wide initiative" and could pursue offensive operations, prompting Ukraine to prepare for battle and claim the downing of a Russian aircraft. French President Macron has not ruled out the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine, while Ukrainian forces report shooting down multiple Russian attack drones and cruise missiles.