What strategic options do Ukrainians have as they face Russia in the east?

First, Ukraine might adopt a “defend in place” strategy. Ukraine would defend the ground they control in the three key operating areas, defending their airspace and attacking Russian rear areas.

This is a relatively passive strategy, always allowing the Russians to throw the first punch. And for a combat-experienced Ukrainian Army, this strategy will probably not allow them to exploit opportunities that arise.

A second option for Ukraine is a “defend and roll back” in the north-east and east, while holding ground in the south. This would see the Ukrainians undertaking limited offensives in the Donbas and north-eastern areas to seize ground taken by the Russians since the start of the war.

It is a less passive strategy but leaves the situation in the south unresolved. It also does not address the pre-war occupation of eastern Ukraine by Russian proxies. It does, if successful, posture the Ukrainians for operations further east, or to later shift their focus to the south.