The war in Ukraine continues to escalate as Russian troops claim to have seized Orihovo-Vasilivka, a village in the eastern Donetsk region.
The announcement, made on Sunday, positions Russian forces closer to Chasiv Yar, a frontline city critical to Ukraine’s defense, as reported by HotNews.ro.
Located approximately 10 kilometers north of Chasiv Yar, Orihovo-Vasilivka lies near a key supply route leading to the Ukrainian-controlled city of Sloviansk.
According to Russian military bloggers, Chasiv Yar remains one of the last major urban barriers preventing further Russian advances in the region.
Russian forces have intensified their offensive operations across Donetsk, recently claiming control of the mining town of Toretsk.
However, Ukrainian forces dispute this, asserting that Russia has not secured the area entirely.
Ukraine's Countermeasures and Continued Defense
Ukraine's Hortița military unit reported that its troops repelled Russian attacks near Chasiv Yar and Toretsk on Sunday.
Additionally, the Ukrainian Air Force announced the downing of a Russian military aircraft near Toretsk.
Overnight, Russian forces launched drone attacks on six Ukrainian regions, deploying 151 drones.
Ukrainian authorities stated that they intercepted and destroyed 70 drones, with another 74 neutralized without significant damage.
President Volodymyr Zelensky provided further insight into the scope of the recent assaults.
He revealed that over the past week, Russia has launched 1,260 airstrikes, including hundreds of drone attacks and more than 10 missile strikes.
Zelensky emphasized that Russia’s military production is sustained by loopholes in sanctions enforcement, high oil prices, and limited Ukrainian countermeasures.
“We are grateful to our partners for strengthening sanctions, but greater global efforts are needed to reduce the capacity of Russia’s oil industry,” Zelensky said on Telegram.
He also underscored Ukraine's plans to increase domestic production of missiles and drones and encouraged international investment in Ukraine’s defense industry.
Meanwhile, Russia's Ministry of Defense claimed to have shot down 35 Ukrainian drones overnight, including one near the Leningrad region. Both sides continue to engage in a high-stakes battle for control and survival, with no end to the conflict in sight.
