Ukraine’s Fortress Belt Under Siege: What Washington Must Learn From Donetsk’s Struggle

As autumn approaches, Ukraine faces a critical juncture with Russia intensifying its relentless push to seize the Donetsk region—once the industrial heartland of Ukraine and a symbol of national resilience. This latest offensive is not just a distant conflict; it underscores the urgent imperative for America to reassess how it supports Kyiv and safeguards our own national security. Why Does Donetsk Matter to America? Russia already controls about 70% of Donetsk, with Ukrainian troops clinging to a so-called “fortress belt” of four cities that have stubbornly resisted Moscow’s advances for years. However, chronic shortages in manpower, supplies, and fractured command...