(KYIV) – The Kremlin has set a new deadline of the end of 2026 to capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast, though Russian military commanders are reportedly seeking an extension until the 31st March 2027. Moscow has now revised this deadline 15 times.
Pavlo Palisa, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, disclosed this information on the 8th September. He stated that Russian forces are sustaining catastrophic losses for minimal territorial gains.
“For years, the Russians have been unable to achieve any operational success in Donetsk region. They have already postponed the deadlines for reaching the region’s borders 15 times,” Mr Palisa noted.
According to Mr Palisa, the Russian advance is being paid for at an extraordinary cost, with hundreds of soldiers killed or wounded for every square kilometre gained. The offensive, now entering another phase, remains stalled against entrenched Ukrainian defences.
Mr Palisa also addressed Russia’s attempts to develop and deploy jet-powered drones. He claimed that Moscow has failed to achieve any independent technological breakthrough in this area.
“Neither the design nor the engine are their own developments. They have not developed anything; they took a ready-made product from those who passed it on to them. And we know perfectly well who exactly,” Mr Palisa emphasised.
He acknowledged the severe challenges Ukraine faces but affirmed the nation’s resolve. “It has never been easy for us. We have learned to fight under conditions of scarcity, and we will continue to stand firm,” he said.
The Deputy Head stressed that the volume of Western military assistance has a direct impact on the casualty rate. “The amount of assistance from our partners directly translates into lives saved, both military and civilian,” Mr Palisa stated.
He called for sustained unity with international allies. “As a united front, we must continue protecting our common future,” he concluded.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed that the Donbas remains a critical stronghold for Ukraine. He stated that Kyiv would not allow the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to deceive the world into believing the region should be surrendered, nor would Ukraine sacrifice half a million Russian soldiers to save the Kremlin’s failing campaign.
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