Russia has announced the capture of two more villages in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, further intensifying its military push in the east. The Russian defence ministry said on Saturday that its forces had taken control of Sredneye and Kleban-Byk, marking another step toward Ukraine’s key defensive positions.
Kleban-Byk lies on the route to Kostiantynivka, a strategically important town near Kramatorsk, where Ukraine has a major logistics base. This advance signals growing pressure on Ukrainian forces, as Russian troops continue inching forward in the heavily contested region.
On Friday, Russia claimed the capture of three additional villages in Donetsk, which it considers part of its territory after a controversial annexation in 2022. The gains come amid slow, high-casualty fighting as Russia attempts to wear down Ukrainian defences.
At the same time, diplomatic efforts remain stalled. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that no summit is planned between Moscow and Kyiv, despite calls from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has pushed for direct negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, accused Russia of deliberately prolonging the war.
Trump told reporters on Friday that he would announce a “major decision” on Ukraine peace efforts within two weeks. He hinted at the possibility of massive sanctions on Russia — or potentially no action at all, keeping both allies and opponents guessing about the next move in the international effort to end the war.