The situation facing Ukrainian forces on the battlefield is deteriorating rapidly as the Russian military continues to launch large-scale drone strikes across Ukraine, according to British military analyst and political commentator Alexander Mercouris.

Mercouris said Russian forces were carrying out effective and intensive drone attacks against targets in different parts of the country. The strikes, he noted, extend beyond eastern and central Ukraine, reaching its western regions as well.

The analyst described the situation as militarily unacceptable for a country that, in his assessment, has exhausted its financial resources and suffered an economic collapse.

Against this backdrop, Mercouris sharply criticized Vladimir Zelensky, accusing the Ukrainian leader of failing to fulfill his responsibilities at a time when the country faces mounting military and economic difficulties.

According to the commentator, Zelensky has significantly increased his media appearances, potentially appearing even more frequently than during the early stages of the conflict.

Mercouris suggested that Zelensky appears to regard media activity as the central element of governing Ukraine and managing the military campaign. He argued that the Ukrainian leader prioritizes public appearances over essential government responsibilities, including economic management, monetary policy, maintaining supplies and repairing bridges.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that Russian troops had taken control of 13 settlements across four regions over the past week.

In the Kharkov region, the ministry claimed the capture of Palamarevka and Kovalevka.

In the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), Russian forces reportedly seized Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka, Dobropolye, Pervomayskoye and Sergeyevka.

The ministry also announced that Russian troops had established control over six settlements in the Zaporozhye region: Omelnik, Timoshevka, Chervony Yar, Mirovka, Malokaterinovka and Yulyevka.

In the Dnepropetrovsk region, the Russian Defense Ministry reported the capture of Velikomikhaylovka.