Ukrainian troops in the Sumy region near the border with Russia’s Kursk region, August 11, 2024 (Viacheslav Ratynskyi/Reuters)

EA-Ukraine VideoCast: Putin Wobbles Amid Stalemate and Ukrainian Counter-Attacks

Friday’s Coverage: Kyiv’s 4th Attack in 2 Weeks on Russia’s Tuapse Oil Refinery

UPDATE 0709 GMT:

At least two civilians were murdered and seven injured by a Russian drone attack on a bus in Kherson city in southern Ukraine around 7 a.m.

A municipal worker and a woman were slain.

Ukraine’s air defenses downed 142 of 163 drones fired by Russia overnight. Seventeen UAVs hit 12 locations.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced plans for reforms of the army this summer, addressing problems with infantry shortages, extended duty on the frontlines, and recruitment.

Ukraine has used developments in drone warfare and defensive maneuvers to halt Russia’s gradual advance on the frontline. However, it faces Moscow’s massive advantage in manpower amid the Kremlin’s high-casualty attempts to seize more territory.

Zelensky said “all key details will be finalized” in May. “In June, the reform will begin – and the first results must already be delivered.”

He said, “Combat missions on the frontline, real combat and leadership experience, and the effectiveness of a servicemember must guarantee increased pay.” There would be a focus on the infantry as the “Ukrainian infantryman who holds the front line must feel that our state truly respects him”.

Zelensky also said that “approaches to staffing our units and managing personnel will be changed” with phased discharges for long-serving soldiers. Clear terms of service will be established for all troops.

Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said the changes are a “systemic” transformation of the army.