Eastern Ukraine’s two villages have been claimed by Russia as its forces continue to make incremental advances in the conflict. According to a report from the Russian Defence Ministry, Russian troops have successfully captured Yantarne, a village in the Donetsk region, located 10 kilometers southwest of the key logistics hub of Kurakhove.
Russia previously said it seized Kurakhove last week, taking more territory in the area. Meanwhile, Russian forces have captured Kalinove village in the Kharkiv region on the west bank of Oskil River. This was the first time that Kyiv confirmed that Russian troops have indeed crossed the river, securing a bridgehead on its western side. The eastern front, especially the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions, remains a center of Russian military operations.
A strategic city in Kharkiv, Kupiansk, recaptured by Ukraine during its 2022 counteroffensive, is under constant attack from Russian forces. In return, Ukraine continues to hit back with precision drone strikes deep within Russian territory, focusing on critical infrastructure.
Among these attacks, there was one targeting an oil depot in the city of Engels on the Volga River; it set ablaze a fire that is still burning, although the size of the blaze has decreased. Saratov officials have confirmed that the firefighters are fighting hard to subdue the flames. Despite continuous military battles from both sides, the war continues unabated.
