Russian troops in eastern Ukraine have reportedly seized at least 10 villages and settlements within approximately ten days, as per a group affiliated with the Ukrainian Army that monitors the battlefield. This advancement by Moscow has intensified pressure on Ukrainian authorities to initiate cease-fire discussions.
The situation is particularly critical for Ukrainian forces in Donetsk, where Russian troops are encroaching on the last two strongholds in the southern region, Kurakhove and Velyka Novosilka. Analysts suggest that the fall of these positions could facilitate a complete Russian takeover of the area.
Since annexing Donetsk in 2022 and controlling about two-thirds of the region, Russia has intensified its attacks in the southern sector, probing for vulnerabilities in Ukrainian defenses. This strategy has forced outnumbered Ukrainian forces to retreat.
Andrii Biletskyi, commander of the Third Assault Brigade, described the current battlefield conditions as the most challenging in nearly three years of conflict.
Since the summer, Russian forces have made significant territorial gains in Donetsk, achieving a pace of advance not seen since 2022. While experts acknowledge the difficult situation, they do not consider it catastrophic for Ukraine, as Russian forces have not yet captured any major cities in the region.
Amid rising casualties, Ukrainian officials are increasingly open to the prospect of peace talks with Moscow, which is insisting on retaining its territorial gains in Ukraine.
In a recent interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed that one way to halt the active hostilities would be for Ukraine to join NATO, thereby placing its controlled territory under the alliance's protection. He indicated that Kyiv would subsequently seek to regain occupied territories through diplomatic means, marking a significant concession regarding the sensitive issue of territorial recovery.
However, NATO members have refrained from extending an invitation for Ukraine to join the alliance during the ongoing conflict, concerned that it could escalate the situation. This concern is heightened by the incoming administration of President-elect Donald J. Trump, who has shown reluctance to support Ukraine's NATO membership in the near future.
The ongoing Russian advance complicates discussions surrounding Zelensky’s proposal, particularly concerning the territories that would be protected by NATO as Moscow continues its encroachments.
Kurakhove now faces the threat of encirclement, with Russian forces advancing from both the north and south, having reached the town's eastern outskirts. Reports indicate that Russian troops are positioned within five miles of the main supply road into Kurakhove, enabling them to target Ukrainian forces and vehicles with drones and artillery.
Military experts warn that Kurakhove may soon need to be abandoned as nearly 70 percent of the town is now surrounded.
Simultaneously, Russian forces are pressing on Velyka Novosilka, a vital logistical hub for Ukrainian operations. The Center for Defense Strategies highlighted its importance as a launch point for Ukraine's counteroffensive in the summer.
The Russian advance has also bolstered Moscow’s logistical routes into its captured territories in southern Ukraine, allowing free movement of troops and supplies by pushing Ukrainian forces out of artillery range of critical railways.
This advantage could facilitate further offensives in adjacent areas, such as the Zaporizhzhia region, where Ukrainian officials have reported a buildup of Russian forces in anticipation of a potential new assault.
In response to the situation, Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky, top commander of the Ukrainian Army, announced the deployment of additional troops, ammunition, and weaponry to the southern Donetsk front to counter the Russian advance.
Despite these challenges, Ukraine has successfully defended the territory it captured in Russia's western Kursk region, which Zelensky considers a potential bargaining chip in negotiations with Moscow.
While Russia has regained at least a third of the Kursk area over several months, Ukrainian counter-assault efforts have seen limited progress, with Russian forces experiencing heavier equipment losses than Ukraine. Ukrainian military analysts express cautious optimism regarding the stabilization of their positions and logistical lines in the region, although they warn of the potential for an escalation in Russian efforts to reclaim lost ground.