Gerasimov has reportedly asked “Putin” to give him more time in Donbas. This conversation between the Chief of the General Staff and the “president” allegedly took place even before Witkoff and Kushner visited Moscow. The generals are seeking to move the deadline for fully capturing the Donetsk region from the end of 2026 to March 31, 2027.
Initially, “Putin” expected the Donbas issue to be settled by mid-autumn. However, for several months, the leadership of the General Staff had been hinting to the “president” that this deadline was far too tight. Various generals reportedly warned the “supreme commander” that attempting to reach the administrative borders of the so-called DPR at any cost, even by December, could result in excessive losses and derail other objectives.
Gerasimov proposed giving the military several more months so it could maintain the current pace of the offensive without committing additional reserves merely to meet an attractive deadline. Russian military officials now reportedly consider the end of March 2027 a more realistic target.
For the Chief of the General Staff, this is a matter of principle. His future position directly depends on the outcome in Donbas after a series of complaints about deadlines and reports from the front.
The Politburo has not yet made a final decision, but Patrushev was reportedly unhappy with yet another request for a postponement. The previous plan to complete the operation in the Donetsk region by the end of the year is beginning to fall apart — and with it, Gerasimov’s hopes for a peaceful retirement, free and decorated with honors.