The Russia Contingency with Michael Kofman

A bi-weekly podcast featuring in-depth analysis of Russia's military power and the war in Ukraine, with your favorite expert on the topic.

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Ukraine’s Turning Point: Front-Line Realities in Early 2026

The Russia Contingency with Michael Kofman
May 20, 2026

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Episode Notes:

Mike sits down with Jack Watling, Senior Research Fellow at RUSI, fresh off a trip to Ukraine, to take stock of a war that may be quietly turning. The two compare notes on shifting battlefield dynamics — from stabilizing Ukrainian force strength to a quietly degrading Russian military — and wrestle with what it all means heading into another critical summer and winter. Is the optimism warranted, or are we getting ahead of ourselves?

Image: Arturo Guzman via Wikimedia Commons