Has the Ukraine War Turned Against Putin?
June 4, 2026
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1:06:40Now PlayingHas the Ukraine War Turned Against Putin?
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as posted by the channelAfter more than four years of war, one of the leading analysts of the Russia-Ukraine conflict says the battlefield may finally be shifting against Vladimir Putin.
Michael Kofman, fresh off a trip to Ukraine's frontlines, joins Jake Sullivan and Jon Finer to explain why Russia's offensive has stalled, why Ukraine may be in its strongest position since 2023, and how drones have transformed the war. Kofman argues that Moscow's strategy of grinding advances and massive attrition is producing diminishing returns, while Ukraine's investment in drone warfare, battlefield innovation, and decentralized defense production is beginning to pay off.
The conversation explores whether Russia can sustain its current campaign, why Ukraine's biggest challenge may now be air defense rather than the front lines, and what it would take to convince Russia that the war has become futile. They also discuss the prospects for a ceasefire, the risk of Russian escalation against NATO, and what role the United States and Europe should play in shaping the endgame of the war.
Topics covered:
- Who is actually winning the war in Ukraine?
- How drones have changed the battlefield
- Whether Russia can be convinced to end the war
A deep dive into Ukraine, Russia, Vladimir Putin, drone warfare, NATO, ceasefire negotiations, military strategy, European security, and the future of the Russia-Ukraine war.
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Chapter Titles:
Photo credits:
- A Ukrainian soldier prepares the Bliskavka attack drone to strike Russian positions in the direction of Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on May 15, 2026. (Photo by Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu via Getty Images)
- A firefighter puts out a fire at a car dealership following massive Russian missile and drone strikes on Kyiv on June 2, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Tetiana DZHAFAROVA / AFP via Getty Images)
#ukraine #RussiaUkraineWar #UkraineWar #Russia #Putin #NATO #DroneWarfare #ForeignPolicy #NationalSecurity #MichaelKofman
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