Russia's advancement in fresh weeks has been attributed, among others, to the discovery of weaker points in Ukrainian defence lines. Since July, Russian units have gradually increased the rate of offensive action in east Ukraine, which coincided with Ukrainian attacks on border areas in the Kursk Oblast in Russia. Russia presently controls 18% of Ukraine's territory, including Crimea, 80% Donbass and crucial parts of the Zaporosian and Khersonian circuits.
