Ukrainian Commander Says Next Six Months Are Critical Turning Point

Brig. Gen. Andriy Biletsky, commander of Ukraine’s Third Army Corps, told Reuters that the next six months represent the most critical period for shifting momentum in the war against Russia. Biletsky said Russia’s army is exhausted after suffering its worst year of the invasion since 2022.

He noted that Moscow’s forces can no longer advance at the pace seen a year ago because of severe personnel shortages.

Ukrainian troops have held the Donetsk “fortress belt” for dozens of months, forcing Russian units into costly frontal assaults. Biletsky’s corps controls one-tenth of the total front line and has prevented Russian breakthroughs around Sloviansk. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukrainian forces have retaken nearly 230 square miles of territory so far in 2026.

Reuters could not independently verify the figure.

Biletsky credited the denial of Starlink access to Russian forces with degrading Moscow’s battlefield communications. He said Ukrainian units are increasing use of stealth drones and armed robots to reduce infantry exposure.

““I believe the next six to nine months are a turning point. ” — Brig. ” Finland-based analyst John Helin of Black Bird said Russian exhaustion appears more likely than Ukrainian collapse in the coming months.”

Said Ukraine must identify directions where it can improve positions and capture strategic points before negotiating a stable truce from strength. He described this outcome as realistic from a military standpoint. Russia’s Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.