Russia is reeling from Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb last weekend, but it still wants to stall on any mediated peace or ceasefire deal, to buy enough time to launch its summer offensive against Ukraine,

Ukrainian artillery and drone crews are developing defensive strategies in preparation for an expected offensive by Russian forces this summer. US-supplied howitzers, drones that carry mines, and satellite-controlled remote units could all play defensive roles.

It was already hard to imagine a breakthrough emerging from the direct talks between Russia and Ukraine set to be renewed in Istanbul on Monday.