Ukraine Shifts Strategy as War of Attrition Grinds On

Ukraine is focusing on economic and political pressure against Russia, as its military faces another difficult year. A major new €90bn loan from the EU will help Ukraine defend itself into 2027. However, analysts say this funding alone will not change the situation on the ground. On the battlefield, Russia continues to make slow gains at a high cost. It has held the initiative since 2024. In 2025, it captured an average of 176 square miles per month. This incremental advance came at an estimated cost of 382,000 Russian soldiers killed or wounded. Western officials often describe this tactic as a "meat grinder." With major military breakthroughs unlikely soon, Kyiv is now working to strengthen its economy and international alliances. Its goal is to outlast Russia in a prolonged conflict.