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Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is now a grinding war of attrition concentrated on the Donbas. Reports detail the day-to-day fighting, destruction, and other developments, but the following Defense Priorities analysis aims to improve understanding of the broader implications of the war and the U.S. role in it.

UKRAINE EXPERTS

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Benjamin
Friedman

Policy Director

Defense Priorities

Photo of Daniel Davis

Daniel
Davis

Senior Fellow & Military Expert

Defense Priorities

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Daniel
DePetris

Fellow

Defense Priorities

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Lyle
Goldstein

Director, Asia Program

Defense Priorities

Jennifer
Kavanagh

Senior Fellow & Director of Military Analysis

Defense Priorities

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Christopher
McCallion

Fellow

Defense Priorities

Photo of Rajan Menon

Rajan
Menon

Former Non-Resident Senior Fellow

Defense Priorities

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William
Ruger

Non-Resident Senior Fellow

Defense Priorities

In the mediaUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia

Europe’s persistence in supporting Ukraine is bearing fruit

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

October 24, 2025

Doubts inevitably persist that Mr. Putin will respond as hoped to the sanctions or even strikes inside Russia. “This is […]

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

New oil sanctions will not stop Russia’s war machine

By Jennifer Kavanagh

October 23, 2025

In the mediaUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Russia’s oil giants get sanctioned by the US. Will it hurt the Kremlin’s war on Ukraine? (For now, no)

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

October 23, 2025

ukraine flag

Symposia: Lessons from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

As the one-year mark of the Ukraine-Russia war approaches, Moscow has failed in many of its objectives. Ukraine has effectively blunted several major Russian advances and reclaimed large swaths of its territory from invading forces. Though the war continues, and seems far from over, there are already many key takeaways from the fighting—and the conflict’s causes and implications remain hotly contested.

Defense Priorities (DEFP) organized this symposium to stimulate thinking about the most important lessons learned from this ongoing war. Top experts, writing from a range of perspectives, share their insights in an effort to inform and improve U.S. policy.

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op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

New oil sanctions will not stop Russia’s war machine

By Jennifer Kavanagh

October 23, 2025

In the mediaUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Russia’s oil giants get sanctioned by the US. Will it hurt the Kremlin’s war on Ukraine? (For now, no)

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

October 23, 2025

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, NATO, Russia, Ukraine

No cause for alarm: The case for a measured response to Russian air incursions

By Jennifer Kavanagh

October 20, 2025

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

U.S. Tomahawk refusal protects Ukraine from false hope

By Jennifer Kavanagh

October 19, 2025

In the mediaUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

‘Appeasement over strength’—Trump’s ‘make a deal’ push leaves Zelensky empty-handed on key weapons

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

October 18, 2025

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Putin was never going to bend to Trump so easily

By Daniel DePetris

October 16, 2025

DEFP in the Media

Connect with Experts

Read at The New York Times: Europe’s persistence in supporting Ukraine is bearing fruit

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

October 24, 2025

Read at Radio Free Europe: Russia's oil giants get sanctioned by the US. Will it hurt the Kremlin's war on Ukraine? (For now, no)

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

October 23, 2025

Read at Kyiv Post: ‘Appeasement over strength’—Trump’s ‘make a deal’ push leaves Zelensky empty-handed on key weapons

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

October 18, 2025

See All Events

virtualUkraine‑Russia, Air power, Diplomacy, Drones, Europe and Eurasia, Land power, Military analysis, Russia, Ukraine

Ukraine’s critical choice: Pursue peace or fight on

April 16, 2025

virtualUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Trump and Ukraine: Prolonging or ending the war

December 13, 2024

virtualNATO, Alliances, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine‑Russia

A ‘bridge’ to NATO or false hope for Ukraine?

July 12, 2024