Strategic Advancements in Eastern Ukraine

Russia’s military announced on Sunday that it has successfully captured two villages in the Donetsk region, continuing its advance towards Pokrovsk, located northwest of the regional capital.

Villages Seized by Russian Troops

According to the Russian defense ministry, forces have secured control over the neighboring villages of Progres and Yevgenivka, situated just a few kilometers apart. This follows Saturday’s claim of seizing the nearby village of Lozuvatske, marking it as one of nearly a dozen villages reportedly captured in the Donetsk region this month.

Intensified Focus on Donetsk

The Kremlin has concentrated its military efforts on the Donetsk region, which it declared annexed several months after initiating its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This intensified offensive highlights Russia’s strategic objective to consolidate its presence in the region.

Ukrainian Defense and Call for Support

Despite these advances, Ukraine’s General Staff reported on Sunday morning that its forces had successfully repelled 29 attacks in the area. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has renewed calls for international support, particularly for air defense systems. He noted that Ukraine has faced a barrage of nearly 700 guided bombs and over 100 Shahed drones in the past week alone.

In a message on Telegram, Zelenskyy emphasized the critical need for support, stating, “Every concrete decision of our partners to strengthen our force can save lives.”