Russia Launches Persistent Small Attacks Against Ukraine Donetsk Lines

President Donald Trump has hinted at possibly shortening the 50-day deadline he set for Vladimir Putin to cease hostilities in Ukraine, threatening severe secondary sanctions on Russia if the war continues beyond this period. Despite this warning, Russia has intensified its military efforts in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, employing new tactics of continuous small-scale assaults rather than large troop movements. Ukrainian forces continue to resist strongly, especially around Pokrovsk, where Russia aims to wedge between key areas to gain strategic advantage. Meanwhile, U.S. military support, including the provision of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), has been crucial for Ukraine to strike deep behind Russian lines with high accuracy, significantly hampering Russian advances. NATO allies have also contributed to Ukraine’s defense by funding additional weapons, including Patriot missile systems. However, analysts remain skeptical that Russia or financial markets are influenced by Trump's imposed timelines, as Russian attacks and offensives persist unabated.