Russia advances toward Ukrainian strongholds in Donbas

Russian forces are making slow but steady progress toward strategic hubs in eastern Ukraine, specifically targeting the Donbas region. Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War note that while a rapid breakthrough is unlikely, the momentum has shifted in Moscow’s favor through continuous infiltration missions.

In the city of Kramatorsk, one of Ukraine’s remaining strongholds, the situation has become increasingly volatile. Local reports indicate that nearly all bridges have been destroyed, and the area faces daily barrages of guided bombs and drones. The constant threat of drone strikes has altered daily life, with residents frequently seen carrying rifles for protection.

This shift in battlefield dynamics comes as US President Donald Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, completed a visit to Kyiv without a major diplomatic breakthrough. The current situation marks a significant change from the spring, when Ukrainian forces were successfully liberating more territory than they were losing.