Putin says Russian troops are advancing on every front. In reality, the main battle is around Kramatorsk, and Ukraine could hold the city through 2026.

Russia’s military offensive accelerated in late May and early June after months of stagnation and Ukrainian counterattacks. Vladimir Putin has declared that “there is no place without an offensive,” but the gains are limited to a few sectors. Ukraine’s defenses in Kostiantynivka — at the southern end of the greater Kramatorsk area — weakened sharply in recent weeks, allowing Russian forces to push toward the city center from two directions. Russia’s advance also continues east of Sloviansk and K...