Whether due to recruitment problems or a stalemate attributable both to strategic errors and to the surprising resistance of the Ukrainians, the advance of Russian troops was limited yesterday.
Attempts by the invader to encircle the capital Kyiv were in vain. Not only are we limited to stabilizing defensive positions, but certain sectors, such as that of Irpin, have returned to Ukrainian control.
In the northeast of the country, the situation is stationary. The cities of Chernihiv, Sumy and Kharkiv seem to be enjoying a respite and there are no significant Russian military operations.
While the bombardments continue in the Donbass and there are fears of a short-term intensification, only the city of Mariupol is the theater of progress for the Russian army.
As if to accentuate the fear of the inhabitants, Russian propaganda does not fail to underline the presence in Mariupol of Ranzam Kadyrov, an unscrupulous Chechen leader whose brutality is recognized.
Hope or trickery?
The state of the forces on the ground may well explain the statement of the Russian Deputy Defense Minister in the context of the negotiations that were taking place yesterday in Turkey.
While a meeting between Presidents Zelensky and Putin is dangled, Alexander Fomin announced a radical reduction in military activity in Kyiv and Chernihiv.
What many see as a glimmer of hope leaves many observers, including myself, skeptical.
Can we trust Vladimir Putin? These negotiations might only serve to replenish its workforce and rethink its strategy.
*Late evening yesterday, missile explosions were reportedly heard in Kyiv, according to CNN.
