In a significant development in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russia announced on Sunday the capture of two additional settlements in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Kharkiv. This announcement marks another step in Moscow’s year-long campaign to expand its territorial control amidst ongoing hostilities.
The Russian defense ministry reported that the village of Piddubne in Donetsk and Sobolivka in Kharkiv have been “liberated.” Prior to the conflict, Piddubne was home to approximately 500 residents and is located just seven kilometers (four miles) from the Dnipropetrovsk region. Meanwhile, Sobolivka is situated about three kilometers (two miles) west of the town of Kupiansk, which falls outside regions that Russia claims to hold, according to assessments from the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Ukraine has not yet issued a response to these claims from Russia, highlighting a continued pattern where the Ukrainian government often refrains from immediate commentary on battlefield developments. The recent gains for Russia appear to be part of a sustained offensive that has been characterized by a grinding approach over the past months, with Russian forces leveraging an apparent advantage over Ukrainian troops, which have been described as overstretched and outmanned.
The Russian military’s offensive momentum appears to have accelerated, with territorial gains reported to be at their highest level in June since the previous November. This development is particularly notable as the conflict has seen fluctuating front lines and varying degrees of intensity since hostilities began. The situation remains fluid as both sides confront the realities of warfare in a region that has witnessed extensive conflict over the past years. As the conflict enters this new phase, it continues to attract global attention and concern regarding its humanitarian impacts and broader geopolitical implications.
