Both sides seem to be trying to prepare their citizens and economies for possibly several more years of 'endless war.'
So far, Ukraine's efforts to replenish its manpower by increasing investments in drones have proven insufficient, notes the British agency Reuters.
The Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region is under threat of falling. Meanwhile, Russia is intensifying attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure ahead of winter. As Reuters writes, given Russia's offensive – albeit very slow and with enormous losses – few see near-term prospects for a peace agreement.
"Rather, both sides seem to be trying to prepare their citizens and economies for possibly several more years of 'endless war,'" the publication states.
Industry and the Human Factor
According to industry experts, there are currently several hundred arms companies of various sizes in Ukraine. It is estimated that the total number of drones produced in 2025 will reach 4 million, but some analysts claim that this number could double with sufficient external funding.
At the same time, as Chatham House Ukraine employee Yaroslav Barbieri stated, the endless nature of the conflict means that many in Ukraine now view conscription as a "one-way ticket to the front," as commanders are reluctant to discharge experienced servicemen even after many years of service.
As the publication reminds, so far, conscripts and all those who volunteered after the invasion have signed indefinite contracts that could last until the end of the war. Now it is planned that new servicemen will serve mainly for five years, including a provision that after discharge, soldiers cannot be called back to military service for at least a year, and possibly longer.
"Whether the Ukrainian military can actually implement these numbers is another question: so far, their efforts to replenish manpower through increased investments in drones have proven insufficient," notes Reuters:
"According to some estimates, the number of Russian troops involved in the latest battle for Pokrovsk sometimes exceeded the number of Ukrainian defenders by nine times."
The Russians have paid a high price for their advance: according to some Ukrainian experts, the number of Russian military casualties in October 2025 could reach 25,000. However, Ukraine has also faced the fact that tens of thousands of young people have left the country – just as the Kremlin is taking steps to increase the number of recruits.
Escalation of the Political Situation within Ukraine
This week, Ukraine's Minister of Justice Herman Halushchenko and Minister of Energy Svitlana Hrynchuk resigned amid an investigation into large-scale embezzlement.
"This scandal, which has been brewing for several months, represents perhaps the greatest threat to Zelensky's power since the invasion, threatening to ignite already accumulated discontent over the postponement of elections and the perceived injustice of forced conscription into the army. Both of these issues could be exacerbated if Ukraine suffers defeats on the front," believes Reuters.
However, Ukraine is making progress on other fronts
Next month, European Union ministers will meet in Lviv for the first time to discuss pathways to membership that the Zelensky government hopes to achieve by 2030.
But this also requires Ukraine's economy and businesses to comply with EU rules, which is no small challenge in the midst of war, with the constant risk that Hungary or possibly other member states may veto Kyiv's accession, the article notes.
At the same time, the EU as a whole is seeking to increase support for Ukraine, including the possible unblocking of frozen Russian assets for use by Kyiv.
"This may be enough for Ukraine to continue the fight if member states finally approve the allocation of funds. If this does not happen, the next year could be the toughest of the entire war."
Earlier, Politico reported that the next winter promises to be the hardest for Ukraine during the entire war, and our country faces three serious challenges – a financial crisis, losses on the front, and an energy war.
At the same time, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski stated that Ukraine is ready to fight for another three years, but Vladimir Putin will not be able to endure that long.
