Have you signed up for the weekly roundup of The Conversation network’s coverage of events in Ukraine. Now might be a good time to do so. Reports coming out of the country are of sudden, rapid and deep advances by the Ukrainian army in the Kharkiv region in the north-east, where a counteroffensive has taken Russian forces by surprise. It comes hot on the heels of what appeared to be a push in the Kherson region in the south. Analysts are speculating that one of the reasons Ukrainian troops are meeting less resistance around Kharkiv is that the Russian military command moved troops and equipment south to the Kherson region to meet the anticipated challenge there.

It looks like this is now the most significant phase in the war since Russia’s aborted attempt to capture Kyiv earlier this year, and indicates that arms supplied by NATO countries may be playing a key role in helping the Ukrainians break the deadlock and repel the invading forces. What will it all mean for Putin, still popular at home, his proxies, ordinary Ukrainians and the international economy? Subscribing to Ukraine Recap, published every Thursday, is one way to stay abreast of the latest expert analysis. As with all our emails, it delivers informed content by researchers that is free to read and republish.

And stay with us this week for continued coverage of the accession of King Charles III, who has become Head of the Commonwealth as well as the head of state of the UK and more than a dozen other independent countries.