Russia Claims Capture of Two Villages in Central Ukraine Amid Ongoing Conflict

On Saturday, Russia announced the capture of two villages in Ukraine, including one located in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, indicating a new territorial gain in an area that has mostly avoided such incursions since Moscow’s invasion in 2022.

Simultaneously, overnight attacks from both sides resulted in six fatalities—four in central Ukraine and two in western Russia, as reported by officials from each nation.

The Russian military declared that its troops had «liberated the settlement of Maliyevka» in Dnipropetrovsk, following their earlier capture of the first village in the region, which is not one of the territories annexed by Russia.

In a different statement on Saturday, Moscow claimed it had «liberated the settlement of Zeleny Gai» in the Donetsk region, adjacent to Dnipropetrovsk, noting its significance as a stronghold used by Ukraine for regional defense.

With the backing of numerous drones, Russia is reportedly securing new territories almost every day; however, these areas often end up in ruins and devoid of residents after prolonged conflict.

This summer’s offensive persists despite a U.S. call for a cessation of hostilities and ongoing peace discussions in Istanbul, which have yet to produce any significant progress.

Further advances by Russian forces could adversely impact Ukraine’s economy and energy infrastructure, as both Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk—occupied since 2014—are central to Ukraine’s coal mining industry, vital for its power generation.

Ukrainian officials have started urging families with children to evacuate as the front line moves closer.

If Russian forces continue to advance deeper into Ukrainian territory, there could be increased assaults on major cities like Dnipro, although Russian troops currently remain approximately 200 kilometers (120 miles) away.

It’s important to note that Dnipropetrovsk is not among the five Ukrainian regions—Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Crimea—that Moscow has publicly annexed.