Russia has reported the capture of a second village, advancing into an area that has largely remained untouched since the onset of its offensive in 2022. As the situation escalates, a series of overnight strikes from both sides resulted in six fatalities—four in central Ukraine and two in western Russia, as confirmed by officials from both nations.
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The Russian military announced that it has “liberated the settlement of Maliyevka” in the Dnipropetrovsk region, just weeks after seizing its first village nearby. Interestingly, Dnipropetrovsk is not among the five regions—Donetsk, Kherson, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Crimea—that Moscow has officially claimed as Russian territory.
In the northern Kharkiv area, a Russian strike has left a large boiler room destroyed, rendering it irreparable before the winter. Additionally, another strike struck a regional administration building in Sumy, as reported by local authorities. According to observers, “Supported by swarms of drones, Russia captures new settlements almost daily, but these areas are often left in ruins, abandoned by their residents after months of combat.”
This summer offensive continues in the face of calls from the United States for de-escalation and peace talks in Istanbul, which have, frustratingly, yielded no positive outcomes thus far. “Further Russian advances could significantly impact Ukraine’s economy and energy supplies,” experts warn, noting that Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk form parts of Ukraine’s vital coal-mining heartland that powers its electricity grid.
In light of escalating tensions, Ukrainian authorities have begun urging civilians with children to evacuate areas near the frontline, which seems to grow closer with each passing day. Experts express concern that deeper Russian incursions could lead to increased attacks on the burgeoning city of Dnipro, albeit Russian forces remain approximately 200 kilometers away.
In related developments, Ukrainian drones recently targeted a radio and electronic warfare equipment plant in Russia’s Stavropol region during an overnight operation on Saturday. An official from the SBU security service informed Reuters that two facilities within the Signal plant were damaged. Videos garnered from the scene showed significant explosions and thick smoke rising into the atmosphere.
“This night, long-range SBU drones struck the production facilities of the Stavropol Radio Plant ‘Signal’,” stated the SBU official. “Each such attack halts production processes and decreases the enemy’s military capabilities. Our efforts will persist.”
While details of the attack remain unverified by Reuters, it’s worth noting that since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, both sides have engaged in numerous drone strikes. Ukraine, facing a significantly larger Russian military force, has built its own drone industry from the ground up and is currently focused on expanding its capacity to produce long-range drones.
“In the midst of chaos, innovation often flourishes,” one defense analyst noted, emphasizing Ukraine’s resilience in adapting under pressure.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
