Russia Claims Two New Villages in Donetsk Region Amid Intensified Offensive

In a significant development in the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, Russia announced on Sunday that its forces had captured two villages in the Donetsk region. This advancement marks a continued push towards the city of Pokrovsk, located northwest of the regional capital.

The Russian defense ministry reported that troops had taken control of the neighboring villages of Progres and Yevgenivka, which lie just a few kilometers apart. This comes as part of a broader offensive strategy that has seen Russian forces focusing heavily on the Donetsk region, an area Moscow claimed to have annexed in the months following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in his evening address on Sunday, acknowledged the mounting pressure on Ukrainian forces in the region. "It is extremely challenging in the Donetsk directions, and it is in the Pokrovsk direction that there have been the biggest number of Russian assaults these weeks – the most intense enemy attacks are precisely there," Zelensky said. He praised the efforts of those repelling the Russian advances, emphasizing their critical role in the war effort.

This latest Russian claim follows the capture of the nearby village of Lozuvatske on Saturday, one of nearly a dozen villages Russia asserts it has seized in the Donetsk region this month. The Kremlin's intensified focus on this area highlights its strategic importance in Russia's broader military objectives.

Ukraine's General Staff reported on Sunday morning that its forces had repelled 29 attacks in the region, illustrating the fierce resistance against Russian attempts to dislodge Ukrainian units. Despite the intense assaults, Ukrainian defenders have managed to hold their ground in many instances.

The situation in Donetsk is part of a larger pattern of escalating violence. President Zelensky has reiterated his calls for increased support from international allies, particularly in the form of air defense systems. "Every concrete decision of our partners to strengthen our force can save lives," Zelensky wrote on Telegram. He highlighted the urgent need for more defenses, noting that Ukraine has been bombarded by nearly 700 guided bombs and over 100 Shahed drones in the past week alone.

As the conflict continues, the capture of Progres and Yevgenivka marks another step in Russia's attempt to solidify its control over eastern Ukraine. The battle for Donetsk is far from over, with both sides bracing for further confrontations in the weeks to come.