Since August 6, the war in Ukraine has become a tale of two major offensives. Ukrainian forces have invaded Russia, grabbing more than 1,000 square kilometres of Kursk Oblast, which they are now defending fiercely. At the same time, in the Donbas in eastern Ukraine, Russian forces are moving on three key logistical centres, Pokrovsk, Tonetsk, and Chasiv Yar.
It is far from certain that either operation can deliver a knockout blow. If the fighting continues at this rate to the end of the month, both sides risk running out of steam and crucial resources, in personnel, weaponry and support. Splits are reported in the leaderships in Kyiv and Moscow.
