Thus far in August, the intensity of Russian strikes on Ukraine appear to have eased. The first 11 days of this month have seen Moscow launch a daily average of 74 drones and one missile into Ukraine, compared with record-breaking July figures of 201 drones and around six missiles per day.

Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least seven civilians and injured at least 47 over the past day, regional authorities reported on Aug. 11. Russian forces launched 71 Shahed-type attack drones and decoy drones against Ukraine overnight,

The Kremlin leader believes time is on his side as the exhausted and outgunned Ukrainian forces are struggling to stem Russian advances.