Russian forces have captured their second town in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region in just a week, a sign of the persistent intensity of Moscow’s military offensive, even as it endures significant losses. Hrodivka, the most recent town to fall to Russian forces, lies on the path to Pokrovsk, a strategic Ukrainian-held city in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian military officials report more than 150 Russian assaults daily across the front, underscoring the unrelenting nature of the conflict.
In the latest developments, Russia’s Ministry of Defence announced that its troops had secured control over Hrodivka, marking the latest milestone in their eastward push. The capture of this town came just days after Russian forces took Vuhledar, a town located on the border between Donetsk and Zaporizhia, two key regions in eastern Ukraine. These advances are part of a broader campaign by Russian forces, which have intensified their efforts on multiple fronts, including Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, and Zaporizhia.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently called on Western allies to provide Ukraine with long-range weapons to counter Russia’s aerial bombardments and attacks. He recently reported that Russia had launched 800 glide bombs, nearly 400 drones, and 20 missiles into Ukraine in just one week. Zelenskyy emphasized that stopping this “aerial terror” requires both international unity and the provision of long-range weaponry. He has also urged allies to allow Ukraine to strike Russian airbases, particularly those housing Tupolev-95 bombers responsible for launching glide bombs.
Despite these battlefield gains, Russian forces continue to experience severe losses in personnel and military hardware. Ukrainian officials claim that Russia’s mechanized assault in Vovchansk, a key location in the Kharkiv region, led to more Russian soldiers being killed than wounded—an unusual ratio that highlights the intensity of the fighting. The scale of Russia’s losses in this assault was reportedly so severe that there was no opportunity to recover injured soldiers before they succumbed to their wounds. According to the Ukrainian military, 40 percent of Russian casualties in Kharkiv were “irreversible,” meaning that the soldiers were either killed or too severely injured to return to combat.
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While Russia has been able to make marginal territorial gains, experts have raised concerns about whether it can sustain the high costs of its ongoing military operations. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, noted that Russian forces have suffered significant losses of armored vehicles in exchange for minimal territorial advances, particularly in western Donetsk. Since launching its latest offensive in February, Russia has lost vast quantities of military hardware, with some estimates suggesting that it has already lost 8,800 armored vehicles and tanks during the first two years of the conflict. Additionally, Russia is rapidly depleting its stockpiles of Soviet-era equipment.
On the Pokrovsk front, Russia has managed to secure its most substantial territorial gains of the year. Following the capture of Avdiivka in February, Russian forces have advanced nearly 40 kilometers (25 miles) toward Pokrovsk, forming a long, salient front line. These advances, however, have come at a steep cost. Reports indicate that Russia has lost up to five divisions’ worth of vehicles in its bid to capture and consolidate control over key towns in the region.
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In contrast, Ukraine has shifted its focus toward conducting long-range strikes on Russian military and energy infrastructure. The Ukrainian military recently struck an oil depot in Feodosia, located in Russian-occupied Crimea. This depot is reportedly the largest military oil storage facility in the region and serves as a critical supply point for Russian forces stationed along the front lines. Ukrainian forces have also continued to target Russian gas production platforms in the Black Sea, aiming to deny Russia access to key energy resources and disrupt its military supply chains.
Ukraine’s use of drones has proven to be a highly effective tactic in countering Russian forces. Ukrainian forces have utilized FPV (first-person view) Phoenix drones to drop munitions on Russian field warehouses and armored personnel carriers in Luhansk. These drones have also been instrumental in Ukraine’s efforts to destroy Russian armored vehicles, a key component of Moscow’s mechanized assaults.
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In terms of military strategy, Ukraine has sought to bolster its capabilities through Western support and investment. Zelenskyy recently announced that Ukraine would seek international investment in drone and electronic warfare production. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans confirmed that the Netherlands would invest 400 million euros ($439 million) in Ukraine’s drone development efforts. This investment will support the production of advanced drones for reconnaissance, defense, and offensive operations. Brekelmans also confirmed the delivery of Dutch F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, with all 24 pledged aircraft expected to arrive in the coming months.
Despite these military advancements, the human cost of the conflict continues to mount. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov issued renewed warnings about the consequences of allowing Ukraine to strike Russian territory, cautioning that any such decision would escalate the conflict. Lavrov referenced a warning made by Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting that there would be significant consequences if Ukraine were permitted to use Western-supplied missiles to attack targets deep inside Russia.
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President of Ukraine Vlodimir Zelenskyy
As the war drags on, Ukraine continues to grapple with the devastating effects of Russia’s ongoing air campaign. Zelenskyy has called for more unity among Ukraine’s allies and stressed the importance of long-range weapons in repelling Russian aggression. He remains steadfast in his refusal to cede any Ukrainian territory to Russia, despite reports of potential negotiations that might involve the temporary recognition of Russian control over certain occupied regions. In his most recent public address, Zelenskyy emphasized that any future peace deal would have to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and would not involve any “trading of sovereignty or trading of territories.”
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the war in Ukraine shows no signs of abating, with both sides locked in an intense struggle for control over key regions. While Russia has made some territorial gains in eastern Ukraine, these advances have come at a tremendous cost in terms of both personnel and equipment. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to strike Russian military infrastructure and energy resources, seeking to weaken Russia’s ability to sustain its offensive. As the conflict enters its third year, the international community remains deeply concerned about the potential for further escalation and the long-term consequences of the war on both Ukraine and the broader region.
