The World Russian military continues 'grinding advance' in Donetsk
Sep 24, 2025
Michael Kaufman, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, delves into the incremental Russian military advances in Ukraine and discusses the evolving battlefield dynamics. Monica Eng, a WBEZ reporter, shares her family's story tied to Chicago's early 20th-century Chinese gangs, highlighting how these groups navigated a brutal underworld. Natalia Kossoy, a Buenos Aires journalist, analyzes Argentina's economic struggles and the impact of the World Bank's expedited support amidst political challenges.
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Grinding Advance And Tactical Adaptation
- The war in eastern Ukraine is a slow, grinding advance rather than a rapid breakthrough.
- Both sides adapt tactics frequently, making territory changes lagging indicators of momentum.
Casualties Rise As Tactics Shift
- Russian casualties have risen because they rely more on dismounted infantry and fewer armored vehicles.
- Wounded soldiers are harder to evacuate now, increasing fatality rates near the front.
Drones Shape Ground And Air Campaigns
- Ukraine's investment in drone units stalled many Russian advances but hasn't fully stabilized the front.
- Russia has increased one-way drone and cruise missile strikes to degrade Ukraine's defense industry and may target energy infrastructure again in winter.
