URGENT UPDATE: Russian troops have seized control of two additional settlements in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region, escalating tensions along the nearly 1,000 km frontline. The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed the capture of the villages Kleban-Byk and Seredne early on Friday, marking a significant step in their ongoing military operations.
Despite these claims, Ukraine’s military has not acknowledged any territorial losses. Instead, Ukrainian forces reported successfully retaking the village of Zelenyi Hai, located near the Dnipropetrovsk region, which has faced renewed Russian assaults. The situation remains fluid and highly contested.
The villages of Katerynivka and Rusyn Yar, also identified in the Russian announcement, are near the beleaguered city of Kostiantynivka. Ukrainian military officials described Katerynivka as one of multiple areas currently under attack from Russian forces.
The ongoing conflict, which began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has seen Moscow shift its focus to the Donbas region, comprising Donetsk and Luhansk. This latest advancement reflects Russia’s persistent efforts to gain a foothold in this strategic area.
In a related development, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported on Saturday that Russian air defenses intercepted a drone targeting the capital. This incident prompted several airports in central Russia, including Izhevsk, Nizhniy Novgorod, and Samara, to suspend operations due to safety concerns. Reports indicate that dozens of flights were delayed as authorities investigated the drone fragments.
The escalating situation highlights the ongoing volatility in the region, with both sides engaging in fierce battles for control. The Ukrainian military’s intelligence agency stated that they are conducting joint operations to halt Russian advances, underscoring the urgency of the conflict.
As the situation develops, both local and international communities are closely monitoring the conflict’s impact on civilians and regional stability. The human cost of this war continues to rise, with countless lives affected by the ongoing hostilities.
What happens next in this rapidly changing landscape remains uncertain, but the world watches as both nations brace for further confrontations. Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
