Ukrainian forces have launched large-scale attacks on Russia’s Belgorod region, targeting over 20 villages with drones, artillery, and ground troops. The offensive appears to be a response to recent Ukrainian losses in the Kursk region, where a fresh Russian assault, reportedly backed by North Korean troops, has forced them back to the border.
Meanwhile, Russian troops continue their intense offensive in eastern Ukraine, particularly in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia, where they are advancing with heavy artillery and infantry assaults. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged the U.S. and Europe for a “strong response” after Russian drone strikes hit civilian areas, including a military hospital in Kharkiv.
As both sides seek territorial gains, ceasefire negotiations remain deadlocked. The Kremlin insists on conditions Ukraine and its allies reject, while Zelensky warns that Russia is stalling talks to consolidate territorial control before future negotiations.
