The fortunes of war in Ukraine are as uncertain as ever — and of deepening global impact. Heavy losses are reported from all sides. Cities are threatened with blackouts courtesy of strikes by Iranian drones and missiles, on which Russia now increasingly relies.
Unusually, Russian officials have responded to bloggers claiming losses of hundreds of lives of raw recruits in ill-judged battles at Pavlivka and Makiivka in the Donbas. At Makiivka only 130 of the 570-strong battle group survived, according to reports, and most commanders fled.
