In recent days, Russian forces have launched a new offensive around Ukraine's second-largest city, Kyiv. The country is struggling to contain this new front in the war following delays in crucial military aid from the United States. Ukraine's army has withdrawn some of its forces from more areas around the northeastern city of Kharkiv, while local officials say Russian troops have taken up positions inside the key front-line town of Vovchansk. It's unclear whether the new northeastern thrust is Russia's main effort or an attempt to draw Ukrainian forces away from other areas. Ukraine fears Moscow may also be massing troops for new border incursions elsewhere. Even as Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the country to reassure it of allied support and announced a new $2 billion arms deal, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy canceled all upcoming foreign trips, a signal of how seriously the country is taking the advancing Russian military. About 8,000 people have been evacuated from Ukraine's Kharkiv region since last week as Russian forces push deeper into the area. Months of delays in American assistance have left Ukraine vulnerable and weakened, with soldiers experiencing exhaustion and severe shortages of ammunition. Russia's progress isn't just in the northeast; they have also made small but geographically broad gains across the eastern front, complicating the defense of the Donetsk region. The objective appears to be to draw Ukrainian forces away from critical battles elsewhere and weaken Ukraine's defenses in other parts of the front line. Whether Russia will succeed in this remains to be seen.
