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.

Become a member

The Battle for Donetsk

The Russia Contingency with Michael Kofman
Francis Farrell and Michael Kofman
June 26, 2026

Sign up now and start listening to "The Russia Contingency with Michael Kofman!"
Already a member? Sign In to have access to our podcasts

Episode Notes:

Mike sits down with Francis Farrell, a frontline reporter for the Kyiv Independent and one of the few journalists still working far forward in eastern Ukraine. Fresh off a 10-mile hike on foot toward Kostiantynivka, Farrell describes what he saw of the fight for the Donetsk fortress belt and how the battle has been unfolding across Kostiantynivka, Druzhkivka, Kramatorsk, and Dobropillia. They discuss how Russian infiltrations overran a city, what the kill zone looks like on the ground, and whether the recent shift in momentum marks a real turning point in the war.

Image: National Police of Ukraine via Wikimedia Commons