As the conflict in eastern Ukraine intensifies, reports have emerged suggesting that the Ukrainian government is contemplating a significant shift in strategy. According to a source close to the government cited by Der Spiegel on October 13, officials are considering the possibility of temporarily relinquishing control over certain territories in exchange for Russia’s agreement to a ceasefire. This deliberation comes in light of ongoing Russian advances in the region and the uncertainty brought on by the upcoming U.S. elections.
The Financial Times noted last week that an approach similar to West Germany’s—involving the abandonment of military efforts to reclaim lost territory in favor of NATO membership—has gained traction among Ukrainian officials.
Currently, approximately 20% of Ukraine’s territory is under Russian occupation. The anonymous official revealed that the Ukrainian leadership is “seriously discussing” the option of temporarily easing the goal of fully regaining territories occupied by Russia. He pointed out that Russian forces continue to advance in the east, albeit slowly, which has led to increasing war fatigue among the Ukrainian populace. The official expressed concerns that the conflict should not extend into a third winter and emphasized that regardless of whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris wins the U.S. presidential election, “the U.S. will likely begin to gradually withdraw its support for Ukraine.”
Meanwhile, officials in Kyiv have raised alarms over intensified Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure ahead of winter. On October 14, Russian artillery and drone strikes in the southern regions of Ukraine resulted in at least three deaths and eight injuries. Reports indicate that Russian drones struck vehicles in Kherson, killing two women, while bombardment of the port city of Odesa led to one death and several injuries.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba shared on Telegram that the assault on Odesa damaged two civilian vessels, including a cargo ship flying the flag of Palau, which has now been hit twice in the past two weeks. Kuleba also noted destruction of crucial port infrastructure, including a grain storage facility.
According to Reuters, the Russian Defense Ministry announced on October 14 that Russian forces have secured control over the village of Levadne in southeastern Ukraine. The control of this settlement has shifted back and forth between Russian and Ukrainian forces since the outbreak of the conflict, and it is a small locality situated in Zaporizhzhia, southwest of Donetsk, which has been the focal point of recent Russian offensives.
