(KYIV, UKRAINE) – Major General Chip Chapman has suggested that neither Ukraine nor the Russian Federation are nearing a point of collapse despite the continuing conflict. The former British Army commander dismissed recent rhetoric from the Russian dictator who claimed that his forces are operating at pace. General Chapman described these advances as minor and noted that the small gains made by the Russian military have failed to produce any significant operational breakthroughs.
Over the last several years the conflict has seen various locations described by the Kremlin as the mother of all battles. After the intense fighting in Bakhmut and Avdiivka the Russian forces have managed to advance only 40 kilometres towards Pokrovsk in a period of 23 months. While the potential fall of Pokrovsk would be more significant than previous territorial losses it does not indicate a wider unravelling of the Ukrainian defensive lines. General Chapman pointed out that the cost for these minimal gains has been extreme for the Russian side in both human and material terms.
The Russian dictator used his recent Christmas message to promote a narrative of rapid success. However this language is seen as far fetched and part of a broader disinformation campaign. General Chapman highlighted a recent meeting at Mar-a-Lago between the Ukrainian side and Donald Trump as a key moment for such manipulation. The Kremlin reportedly attempted to influence Trump using a false flag operation involving a supposed drone attack on the residence of the Russian dictator at Valdai. This claim was supported by poor quality graphics and grainy video footage which Western intelligence services could easily disprove by tracking drone launch signatures.
Despite the pressure from the Kremlin the will of the Ukrainian people to resist remains high. Data indicates that 63 percent of the population are committed to fighting for as long as necessary. Furthermore over 70 percent of Ukrainians support the idea of negotiations but refuse to accept any peace terms that equate to a surrender. This high level of resolve is linked to the existential nature of the conflict for Ukraine. The Ukrainian military is also benefiting from rapid innovation and adaptation particularly in the use of drones and electronic warfare screens for armoured vehicles.
Ukraine continues to receive vital international support to sustain its defence. A recent loan of 90 Million Euros was secured at the end of 2025. This funding along with increased indigenous drone production is expected to keep Ukraine capable of fighting through 2026 and 2027. In contrast the Russian dictator remains reliant on disinformation and the hope that international sanctions will not be fully executed. The Sanction Russia Act 2025 proposed by US Senators remains on the table but its implementation is dependent on the unpredictable decisions of Donald Trump.