Russia has reported further territorial gains in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, with its forces capturing two villages in eastern Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry announced that its forces had “liberated the settlements” of Sukhi Yaly and Pustynka in the Donetsk region.
Sukhi Yaly lies southwest of Kurakhove, an industrial town Moscow is attempting to encircle, while Pustynka is near Pokrovsk, a critical supply hub.
Moscow’s advances highlight its continued pressure on “overstretched and outgunned” Ukrainian forces, with the conflict intensifying as Kyiv uses Western-supplied weapons like U.S. and British missiles, and Russia responds with advanced hypersonic weaponry.
Amid these developments, Ukraine is reportedly preparing for a strategic shift ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January. Trump has pledged to “swiftly end the conflict,” raising concerns in Kyiv about potential territorial concessions to Russia.
In a separate incident, Ukrainian drones struck the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky, killing three people and injuring three more, according to Vladimir Saldo, the Moscow-appointed governor of the Kherson region.
Saldo condemned the attack as “inhumane,” claiming it targeted a civilian aid distribution point. Kyiv, while denying targeting civilians, has not commented on the incident.
Oleshky, a town on the Russian-controlled eastern bank of the Dnipro River, serves as a flashpoint in the conflict, with both sides frequently exchanging artillery and drone strikes across the river.
Earlier this week, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte cautioned President-elect Donald Trump against brokering a Ukraine-Russia peace deal that could favor Moscow. Rutte expressed concerns that such an agreement could embolden adversaries like China, Iran, and North Korea, creating long-term security risks for both Europe and the United States.
Rutte shared these remarks in an interview with Financial Times, emphasizing the interconnected threats posed by hostile nations. He warned against a scenario where adversaries like Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Kim Jong Un benefit from a weak agreement.
He pointed to evidence of Russia supplying missile technology to North Korea and financial aid to Iran, which strengthens groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.
Rutte stressed that ensuring Ukraine’s ability to negotiate from a position of strength should take priority over discussions about NATO membership. He urged Western nations to maintain robust military support for Ukraine.
Rutte stated, “Whenever Zelenskyy decides to get into peace talks, he must do this from a position of strength.”
