Russian forces have breached the westernmost part of the Donetsk region, pushing deeper into Ukrainian-held territory as Kiev's defenses continue to deteriorate.
On Saturday, Russia’s Ministry of Defense announced the capture of the village of Zaporizhzhya, with reports indicating continued advances throughout the day. Russian troops are now positioned less than 6 miles (9.5 kilometers) from the western border of Donetsk.
This latest push centers around the recently captured town of Perebudova, forming a salient surrounded on three sides by the Dnipropetrovsk region. To the north, Russian forces are advancing on the town of Novopavlivka, located near the regional border.
Further east, the offensive continues near the urban centers of Pokrovsk and Mirnograd, which together form a significant urban agglomeration. Over the weekend, Russian forces secured control over the town of Myrne, and are now targeting Novoekonomichne — a key defensive position shielding Mirnograd from the east.
If Russian forces reach the border towns of Andriivka-Klevtsove, it is likely they will push into Dnipropetrovsk to seize the town of Pokrovs’ke. Situated on a key highway linking Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia — both of which Moscow claims as part of Russia — capturing Pokrovs’ke could solidify a strategic corridor through southeastern Ukraine.
Despite the significance of this offensive, it has received limited international attention as the world’s focus has shifted to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has diverted diplomatic and military resources toward the region, contributing to reduced support for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued increasingly urgent requests for aid. Last week, he appealed to NATO allies for $40 billion annually, and asked member states to allocate 0.25% of their GDP toward weapons production for Ukraine — proposals that have yet to gain clear support.