Putin's 10-Day Pivot to Peacemaker: What Changed

Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a new humanitarian corridor in Kostiantynivka ten days after a similar operation in Oleshky, a move a Ukrainian military analyst suggests is driven by record Russian troop losses and recent strikes on Russian oil infrastructure. The Kremlin initially stated on November 2 that no similar humanitarian initiatives were planned, but Putin later reversed course, claiming Russian forces control Kostiantynivka and offering to demine approaches within five days. Analyst Oleksiy Kopytko hypothesizes the shift follows daily Russian casualties reaching 2,600 and successful Ukrainian strikes on numerous refineries and ports, prompting Putin to project a peacemaker image ahead of potential talks with China. Kopytko argues that while Moscow still rejects broad ceasefires, its willingness to consider local truces signals a softening stance that should be encouraged through increased military pressure, not humanitarian gestures. He suggests further strikes on Russian energy infrastructure and European firmness on LNG would strengthen prospects for de-escalation.