Your problem is that the RuZZian Terrorists Invaders are incompetent.
The Russians have annexed 40,000 square miles of land (land which comprised 70-80% of Ukraine's GDP), built a land bridge from Crimea to mainland Russia and control almost the entire Black Sea coastline.
Ukrainian control over Bakhmut is down to less than seven percent despite Zelensky throwing his best soldiers into trying to keep it. Once Ukraine is done in Bakhmut, it's done in Donetsk and Donbass. Ukraine would have to try to defend land in open areas that will bombarded by Russian artillery.
All the Russians wanted before the war started was the Minsk Accords implemented.
NATO and our woke military is what has become incompetent. That isn't least bit surprising given that the Biden regime is conducting this war.