Retired U.S. generals and military analysts said Ukraine is gaining ground and winning the war against Russia [1], [2].

This shift in momentum suggests a weakening of Russia's strategic position and a potential change in the conflict's trajectory. The assessment comes as Western allies continue to provide military support and discuss regional security at the NATO summit in Ankara [1], [3].

According to analysis from June 2026, Ukraine has achieved significant success in the arena of drone warfare [2], [4]. These unmanned systems have been used to disrupt Russian supply lines, which weakens the ability of Russian forces to sustain long-term operations on the frontlines [2], [4].

However, the assessment of victory remains contested among observers. The Atlantic reported that while Ukrainians are not losing, the Russians lack a clear path to victory [2]. This perspective contrasts with some reports from Yahoo, which said that Ukraine is running out of Patriot interceptors [4]. These reports also indicate that the Ukrainian power grid is entering a summer state that is crippled [4].

Despite these defensive challenges, some retired U.S. generals told CBS News that Ukraine now has the upper hand [2]. This view focuses on the tactical gains and the effectiveness of the drone campaign in shifting the battle's momentum [1], [4].

Other international observers maintain a more cautious stance. The BBC has provided ongoing coverage of the conflict without issuing a definitive statement that Ukraine is winning [2]. The discrepancy in reporting highlights the complexity of the current frontline status, and the tension between tactical drone success and systemic logistical shortages [2], [4].

“Ukraine is gaining ground and is being described as winning the war against Russia”

The divergence in reports indicates a conflict where tactical superiority in technology, specifically drones, is clashing with critical infrastructure and ammunition shortages. While Ukraine may be winning the 'drone war' and disrupting Russian logistics, the sustainability of this momentum depends on the continued flow of Western interceptors and the resilience of its domestic power grid.