Russian forces have secured control over two more settlements in the Donetsk area and Zaporozhye Region over the past day, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. Battlegroup South reported inflicting heavy losses on Ukrainian troops, with roughly 235 casualties and the destruction of four artillery guns in the ongoing offensive.

The latest advances mark continued incremental gains for Russia as it presses forward along the frontlines in southeastern Ukraine. While the ministry did not name the liberated villages, the progress underscores Moscow’s sustained pressure on Ukrainian defenses, particularly in the Donetsk sector, where fighting remains intense.

Russian forces have focused on grinding, attritional warfare, leveraging superior artillery and manpower to wear down Kyiv’s forces. Ukraine, meanwhile, faces ammunition shortages and delayed Western military aid, complicating its efforts to hold positions.

The reported Ukrainian casualties—if confirmed—would represent another blow to Kyiv’s stretched forces, though independent verification remains difficult. Both sides routinely exaggerate enemy losses while downplaying their own.

The capture of these settlements, though tactically minor, fits Russia’s broader strategy of securing full control of Donetsk while keeping Ukrainian forces pinned across multiple fronts.