The Kremlin believes the war against Ukraine has reached a stalemate

Ukraine and its allies are increasingly confident that Russia’s invasion is running out of steam as Kyiv stabilizes the front line and halts Moscow’s spring offensive, Bloomberg reports.

Ukraine’s growing effectiveness in using drones, which are inflicting significant losses on Russian troops, is accompanied by strikes behind the front lines and deep into Russian territory. This is intensifying domestic criticism of Putin.

Along with the economic downturn and internet restrictions, this is leading to deepening war fatigue among ordinary Russians.

Many members of the Russian elite share this sense of unease. According to sources familiar with the situation, some high-ranking Kremlin officials believe the war has reached a stalemate and has no clear path to resolution.

Putin wants to end the war by the end of this year, but only on terms he considers victorious.

This involves full control over the Donbas, which Russian troops have been unable to capture in more than a decade, as well as a broader security agreement with Europe that would effectively recognize Moscow’s territorial gains.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied that Putin had set any such deadlines.

The drones that Ukraine is deploying in increasing numbers have become a decisive factor in the war, helping to compensate for the manpower shortage that has plagued Kyiv since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Ukraine has not yet been able to achieve its strategic goals to reclaim most of the occupied territories or move closer to an acceptable peace agreement through U.S.-brokered negotiations, which have now also reached an impasse.

Several European diplomats have stated that they view the mood in Russia as gloomy, as a stalemate persists on the front lines and strikes by Ukrainian drones are bringing the war directly to Moscow.

Photo: TSN.