Even the Russian propaganda channels like Rybar, The Grey Zone and others are admitting this is catastrophic. Their war maps pretty much match what Ukraine is saying, with Ukes making it all the way to the west bank of the Oskil at Kupiansk.
Putin recently demanded his Generals take Slovyansk and Kramatorsk (and all of Donetsk) by Sep 15th (obviously not going to happen). With so many forces tied up in Kherson, they had to take from somewhere, and Kharkiv has been “frozen” for months. Kupiansk is a key rail hub that Russia cannot afford to lose, so I expect they will do whatever it takes to keep/retake it. Putin’s plan to take all of Donbas might have to wait.
I expect Putin will try to freeze the conflict ASAP. The occupation of Kherson is not sustainable through the winter. It’s all downhill for Russia from here and only Putin’s Soros EU partners can save him.