Russia on Saturday announced that its forces had taken control of two settlements in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, even as international efforts to revive peace talks gain momentum.
According to a statement from the Russian Defence Ministry, the villages of Seredne and Kleban Byk were captured following operations by the Southern and Western groups of Russian forces, Anadolu News Agency reported.
The ministry also claimed that Russian strikes targeted a Ukrainian military-industrial facility and temporary deployment sites of Ukrainian troops and foreign fighters across 143 locations. In addition, Russian air defences reportedly intercepted four guided aerial bombs and shot down 160 drones over the past week.
The battlefield developments come amid renewed diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had informed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa of Kyiv’s readiness to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Writing on X, Zelenskyy reaffirmed: “I am ready for any format of meeting with the head of Russia. However, Moscow is once again trying to drag everything out. It is important that the Global South sends signals to push Russia toward peace.”
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump warned on Friday that Washington could impose sanctions on Russia if no progress toward a settlement is seen within two weeks. His remarks came just days after his meeting with President Putin in Alaska.
However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dismissed prospects of a summit, accusing Zelenskyy of rejecting all proposals. “There is no agenda for a meeting,” Lavrov said, according to Al Jazeera.
