MOSCOW: Russia said Sunday that its military forces had advanced further in eastern Ukraine and captured a frontline village just a few kilometres north of a key Ukrainian-held industrial hub.
The Russian Defence Ministry said that its forces “liberated the settlement of Izmailovka,” a village with a pre-war population of under 200, situated approximately eight kilometers north of the crucial Ukrainian-held industrial hub of Kurakhove.
Izmailovka’s capture advances Moscow’s efforts to encircle Kurakhivka, a nearby town on the front line where Russian forces have been pressing Ukrainian defences amid a prolonged and challenging battle. Moscow’s Defense Ministry celebrated this advance in its daily briefing.
The announcement followed Russia’s earlier claim of downing 51 Ukrainian drones over various Russian regions, including areas close to the border. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the West of potential repercussions if it were to authorize Kyiv’s use of longer-range weapons capable of reaching Russian territory.
Putin stated on state television, “It’s too early to say yet, but of course, our military department is thinking about it and will offer various responses.” This follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s repeated calls to Western allies to permit the use of long-range missiles, which he argues would compel Moscow to consider a peace settlement.
The United States and the United Kingdom had indicated last month that a decision on the matter was approaching, but reportedly postponed a final decision after Putin cautioned that NATO risked a potential conflict with Russia by extending Ukraine’s striking range.
“I hope they heard,” Putin remarked, noting his expectation that NATO had acknowledged Russia’s warnings regarding escalation.
