Ukraine’s army chief has warned that the country is experiencing “one of the most powerful Russian offensives” since the onset of the war, as Russia claims to have captured additional settlements on the eastern frontline.
In the eastern Donbas region, which President Vladimir Putin aims to fully capture, Russia has reportedly been advancing at its fastest rate in over a year, according to Reuters’ open source data.
Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that the frontline situation remains challenging and that certain areas require continuous resource replenishment for Ukrainian units. He emphasized that Ukrainian forces are currently “holding back one of the most powerful Russian offensives” since the full-scale invasion began.
Russia announced the seizure of two settlements in the Donetsk region—Kurakhivka and Vyshneve—although Ukrainian officials have not confirmed these claims. Vyshneve is strategically located near Pokrovsk, a vital logistics hub targeted by the Russian military.
In addition, Russia continues its drone attacks, with Ukraine preparing for a tough winter following significant damage to its energy infrastructure. President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that over 50 drone attacks were launched against Ukraine overnight, with more than 900 bombs dropped and nearly 500 Shahed drones deployed over the past week. Most strikes have targeted civilian structures and critical infrastructure.
As Zelensky seeks additional Western support, he stated that “all these strikes would not have been possible” without sufficient international assistance. He warned that “Russia is gradually increasing this activity,” highlighting suspicions that Moscow is sourcing components from abroad, including China, Europe, and America.
The situation is particularly precarious, as the upcoming U.S. presidential election could impact American policy on Ukraine. Kamala Harris is expected to continue the Biden administration’s support, while Donald Trump has suggested ending aid to Kyiv and claimed he could resolve the conflict quickly.
Moreover, U.S. officials reported this week that Russia is reinforcing its forces with North Korean troops, with approximately 8,000 North Korean soldiers now stationed in Russia’s Kursk region, expected to engage in combat against Ukraine soon.
Credit: CNN
