Russian Forces Seize Two Frontline Settlements in Eastern Donetsk

According to the Russian Defence Ministry, Russian forces have taken control of the village of Zelene Pole, which is situated between the key town of Pokrovsk and Velyuka Novosilka—a settlement reportedly captured by Russian forces last month. The ministry’s report also states that another village, Dachne, located west of Kurakhove, has fallen under Russian control. This marks a significant development following intense fighting in the region over recent weeks.

The situation in eastern Donetsk continues to be fluid, as Ukrainian military sources noted that the villages were among several settlements targeted in a series of Russian attacks in the Pokrovsk sector. Despite these claims, the Ukrainian General Staff did not confirm that these locations had definitively come under Russian control, reflecting the ongoing uncertainty on the ground.

Recent advances by Russian forces, who had previously shifted their focus after an unsuccessful attempt to encircle Kyiv in February 2022, underscore their continued efforts to secure key positions in the Donbas region. Ukraine’s military blog, DeepState, based on open source information, also indicated progress in the areas near Zelene Pole and Dachne, even as conflicting reports emerge from both sides.

In the midst of these developments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the notable performance of a regiment stationed near Pokrovsk, though he did not specify the exact location of the operation amid reports of concurrent Ukrainian counterattacks in the region.