Russia announced on Saturday that its forces had taken control of two villages in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, as it intensifies military pressure amid accelerating diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
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In a statement posted on Telegram, the Russian Ministry of Defense said the army had seized the villages of Sredniy and Kleban-Byk.
Control of the latter village marks a further step toward the city of Kostiantynivka, a key stronghold on the road to Kramatorsk, which hosts a major Ukrainian military logistics base.
The Russian army has made additional territorial gains in recent months against Ukrainian forces that are fewer in number and less equipped.
Meanwhile, prospects for a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have diminished, after U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he would make an “important” decision within two weeks, which could include imposing sanctions on Russia, amid stalled U.S.-led mediation efforts.
Also on Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the Ukrainian president of obstructing a meeting with his Russian counterpart, a day after Zelensky leveled similar accusations against Moscow.
Currently, Russian forces occupy about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
(AFP)
