MOSCOW: The Russian military said on Wednesday that its forces have captured two more villages in eastern Ukraine, the latest gains for its advancing forces amid intense military operations.
According to a statement from Russia’s defense ministry, troops have “liberated the settlements” of Gostre and Grigorivka in the Donetsk region.
Gostre, a small village located approximately 30 kilometers (18 miles) west of Donetsk city—the administrative center of the region—has now come under Russian control. Grigorivka is situated near Chasiv Yar, another area of strategic interest for Russian forces.
These territorial claims come amidst a broader pattern of advances by Russian troops throughout 2024, even as Ukraine launches its own cross-border offensives targeting Russian positions.
The military situation remains fluid, with reports indicating that Ukrainian forces are facing increasing pressure, particularly in the town of Vugledar, a former coal mining hub further south in the Donetsk region.
Britain’s defense intelligence unit said on Wednesday that Russian forces now appear to threaten Vugledar from three sides. Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War caution that the potential capture of Vugledar may not provide Russian forces with a significant operational advantage for future offensive actions.
