Russian forces have taken control of two villages in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, the country’s defence ministry claimed on Sunday, as Moscow continues a slow, costly advance along the eastern front.
The ministry said Kremlin forces had seized Vasyutinske, located a few miles from the strategically important “fortress city” of Kramatorsk, and separately claimed to have taken Toretsk, southwest of the city of Druzhkivka, according to Sky News. Ukraine did not comment on the claims, and Sky News said it was unable to independently verify the reports.
Russia Ukraine War Latest News: How Costly Has Russia’s Advance Through Donetsk Been?
Despite the territorial claims, Russia’s push through Donetsk has shown little significant change along the frontline for months, according to Sky News. The human cost of that grinding advance appears steep, with Sky News reporting that Russia’s casualty rate is so high that Moscow is reportedly losing more troops each month than it can recruit.
Russia Ukraine War Latest News: What Damage Did The Latest Strikes Cause To Humanitarian Supplies?
Beyond the ground war, Russian attacks have continued targeting Ukraine’s humanitarian infrastructure. UN agencies reported that a UNICEF-contracted warehouse in Bilohorodka, containing more than 106,000 items valued at an estimated $3.9 million, including generators, water and hygiene kits, was struck on a recent Sunday, according to UN News. UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine Matthias Schmale condemned the mounting toll of such strikes, saying, “The increasing toll of these attacks across the country is devastating.”
Russia Ukraine War Latest News: What Happened During The Deadly High-Rise Attack In Kyiv?
Separately, Russia launched a wave of ballistic missiles and drones at Kyiv last week that killed at least 17 people and struck residential buildings, a railway station and warehouse complexes, according to CNN. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine said its crews faced continued danger as they worked to reach residents trapped in damaged apartment blocks, stating, “Rescue workers are continuing to operate under high-risk conditions, as the risk of further enemy strikes persists.”
With fighting continuing on both the ground and in the air, neither Kyiv nor Moscow has signalled any imminent shift in strategy, and the latest territorial claims in Donetsk remain unconfirmed by independent monitors as the war grinds into its fourth year.
