Russian army advances into Donetsk, massive attacks in Ukraine

Moscow captures a village near Toretsk, while shelling on Odessa and Kharkiv causes deaths and damage. Kiev rejects Slovak premier Fico’s accusations

The Russian army announced that it has captured the village of Krymské, near Toretsk in the Donetsk region. The town has been the epicentre of fighting for months, with Kiev forces struggling to contain Moscow’s advance. According to DeepState analysts, the Russians are already in the centre of Toretsk and Chassiv Yar, while in the Kharkiv region they continue to push towards Kupiansk.

Meanwhile, Russia launched a massive night attack with 42 missiles and 123 drones, hitting several Ukrainian cities. Odessa was targeted by missiles that injured seven people and damaged historic buildings, including the Bristol Hotel and the Philharmonic. In Kharkiv and Poltava, on the other hand, energy infrastructure was targeted.

The increasing military pressure is accompanied by an intense propaganda war. Kiev denied Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s accusations that Ukraine was involved in the anti-government protests in Bratislava. The Ukrainian military intelligence service (Hur) called Fico’s statements ‘false and propagandistic’, accusing Moscow of wanting to sow discord among European allies.

Fico, known for his relations with the Kremlin, recently met Vladimir Putin in Moscow, breaking with the EU line. In response, Ukrainian President Zelensky welcomed Slovak opposition leader Michal Šimečka to Kiev in a clearly political gesture.

As the conflict approaches its third anniversary, the prospect of negotiations continues to be discussed but seems to find no sides. However, while the US president has repeatedly criticised aid to Kiev, he has also promised tougher sanctions against Moscow. A difficult balance, with consequences yet to be defined.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)