The war continues, even if less people are paying attention.
As diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire sputter along, Russia’s aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities continue, including a strike on Sumy that killed at least 36 people including two children.
The frontline remains largely static for the moment, with Russia reportedly preparing to launch a major spring offensive.
And with continued American support in question, Ukraine is bracing for what promises to be difficult months ahead.
So today, we will take inventory, look at the state of the war, and where it may be headed. In the episode, host Brian Whitmore speaks with military analyst Michael Kofman, a Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a senior editor at War on the Rocks, and host of the Russian Contingency Podcast.
Enjoy…
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SHOW NOTES
The audio clips opening the podcast and the second segment came from a speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on April 16, 2025. The translations are as follows:
“Russia must accept the idea of the inevitability of Ukraine’s strength, and a truly reliable peace can only be achieved when reality forces Russia to come to terms with our capabilities.”
“Our drones, Ukrainian missiles, our artillery, Ukrainian shells, our equipment – everything produced by Ukraine – will defend Ukraine, the lives of our people, our state.”
Michael Kofman’s recently published work can be accessed here and here. The Russia Contingency Podcast can be accessed here.
The Power Vertical Newsletter on Substack can be accessed here. Recently published work by Brian Whitmore can be accessed here, here, here, and here. Please follow Brian Whitmore and The Power Vertical on Bluesky@powervertical.bsky.social