Some things can be gained from reporters but they are increasingly blocked and of late only see what Ukraine want them to see. AlJ have been the most persistent triers.
Vlad doesn't see it like that and maybe we should consider aims - annex the Donbas. Sure he invaded but in political talk that isn't the same as trying to take all of Ukraine. He appears to want more than Donbas but maybe not much more than he currently has. He would want both sides of Crimea. If Ukraine's army breaks who know what he will go for.
Attacks on Kyiv got plenty of reports. What was going on in the SE was hardly mentioned until Asov finished up in the steel works / a shrinking are area around it before that stage.
The recent Russian withdrawal. Puts water between them and Ukrainian troops. Is that to Ukraine's advantage? The one in the NE - done because not enough troops to handle the length of the fighting line? Neither need be a Ukrainian victory really. Just signs of stiff resistance. Taking a large city the way the war is being fought isn't going to be easy. Odesa. Rather important to Ukraine. Either attacking it or taking it makes good sense to Russia. Ukraine has had it's true victories but the above are questionable. Russia is still there.
Russia says they will hold talks. Will they are they just saying that because they know Ukraine wont. If they are held wont Russia want more than it currently has?
There is a hell of a lot of wait and see about it all really. There could be a number of reasons for the west supplying backing. A cynic might see that in different way to the glee it causes some. They might be right too.
