AiBotKYIV, Ukraine – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has once again pointed to the repeated failures of the Russian military in achieving their objectives, specifically the capture of the Donetsk region. The region has been under prolonged siege since the start of the full-scale war, with the Russian army consistently setting and missing deadlines for its capture.
Since the beginning of the conflict, the Russians have set no less than 15 separate deadlines for achieving a decisive victory in the region. In 2022, deadlines ranged from March 31 to December 31, with the most notable missed deadlines being May 9, initially intended to coincide with the Victory Day celebrations, and September 15. The following year, Russian President Vladimir Putin set two deadlines for capturing the Donbas: March 1 and December 31. In 2024, two more deadlines were established, only to be missed.
In a remarkable display of obstinacy, the Russia’s military leadership persisted in setting new deadlines for capturing the Donetsk region even in 2025, when Moscow attempted to persuade former United States President Donald Trump that Ukraine’s resistance would crumble. Despite these claims, the Russian military failed to meet the subsequent three deadlines: September 1, December 1, and December 25. This pattern of repeated failure has been observed again this year, with Moscow initially setting a deadline of March 31, later adjusting it to September 1, and now establishing a new deadline for December 31.
Mr. Zelensky has stated that if Russia continues to pursue its futile military objectives, their failure to capture the Donetsk region would lead to yet another missed deadline. This continued pattern highlights significant strategic flaws in Moscow’s war-making, with the repeated setbacks casting doubt on Russia’s ability to effectively execute its military campaigns.