Russian troops ramp up offensive in Ukraine’s southeast, capturing two villages amid stalled effort to end war
Russian forces have captured two villages in Ukraine’s southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukrainian open-source researchers say, as the troops press an offensive amid a stalling diplomatic effort to end the war.
Ukraine’s outmanned and outgunned military has struggled to fend off grinding Russian advances in much of the east as Russia increases pressure on its neighbour to give up territory in any peace negotiations.
Russian forces now occupy the villages of Zaporizke and Novoheorhiivka, according to the DeepState group that tracks battlefield developments.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Russia’s defence ministry had previously reported capturing both villages.
Ukraine’s military on Tuesday dismissed reports that Russian troops had taken the villages as false.
“Russians have entered (there) and are attempting to establish a foothold,” Ukrainian military spokesman Viktor Trehubov told Reuters, referring to Zaporizke and Novoheorhiivka.
“Our forces are fighting to maintain their positions.”
Russian forces said in July they had taken their first village in Dnipropetrovsk, which is not among the five Ukrainian regions Russia has claimed as its own territory.
DeepState’s map shows at least two other Dnipropetrovsk villages either occupied or the site of fighting, comparatively minuscule areas in the region of more than 31,000 square kilometres.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously dismissed the significance of Russia’s push into the region, describing it last month as aimed at achieving a “media victory”.
Mr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Turkey, the Gulf states in the Middle East or European countries could host talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Now, this week there will be contacts with Turkey, contacts with the Gulf states and with European states which could host talks with the Russians,” Mr Zelensky said in his nightly video address.
“From our side, things will be prepared to the maximum in order to end the war.”
Mr Zelensky spoke as his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said he and Ukraine’s national security council chief were in Qatar to meet the country’s defence minister.
Mr Zelensky has called for talks with Mr Putin but Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said no agenda has been prepared for such a meeting.
