Russia Captures Two Villages in Ukraine's Donetsk Region
Russian forces advance in eastern Ukraine as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict stall.
Moscow has announced that its military forces have captured two villages, Sredneye and Kleban-Byk, in the contested Donetsk region of Ukraine.
This development marks an escalation in the ongoing conflict, with Russian troops gradually pushing towards Kyiv's key defensive lines in a series of intense battles that have been costly in terms of territorial gains on both sides.
According to the Russian defense ministry, the capture of Kleban-Byk positions them closer to Kostiantynivka, a strategically important town that sits en route to Kramatorsk.
The latter city is significant due to its status as a major Ukrainian logistics base.
Previously, in September 2022, Russia claimed to have annexed this region following the capture of three other villages.
The recent advances by Russian forces come amid dwindling hopes for a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky.
This meeting was long advocated for by U.S. President Donald Trump as part of Washington's efforts to broker an end to the conflict.
However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that no such meeting is currently planned, suggesting a standstill in diplomatic negotiations.
In response to these developments, Zelensky accused Russia of attempting to prolong the fighting, while Trump announced his intention to make a decision on Ukraine peace efforts within two weeks.
He hinted at the possibility of imposing massive sanctions against Moscow or potentially withdrawing support entirely.
This development marks an escalation in the ongoing conflict, with Russian troops gradually pushing towards Kyiv's key defensive lines in a series of intense battles that have been costly in terms of territorial gains on both sides.
According to the Russian defense ministry, the capture of Kleban-Byk positions them closer to Kostiantynivka, a strategically important town that sits en route to Kramatorsk.
The latter city is significant due to its status as a major Ukrainian logistics base.
Previously, in September 2022, Russia claimed to have annexed this region following the capture of three other villages.
The recent advances by Russian forces come amid dwindling hopes for a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky.
This meeting was long advocated for by U.S. President Donald Trump as part of Washington's efforts to broker an end to the conflict.
However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that no such meeting is currently planned, suggesting a standstill in diplomatic negotiations.
In response to these developments, Zelensky accused Russia of attempting to prolong the fighting, while Trump announced his intention to make a decision on Ukraine peace efforts within two weeks.
He hinted at the possibility of imposing massive sanctions against Moscow or potentially withdrawing support entirely.
