Ukraine: Russian forces complete the largest advance in over a year within 24 hours
While European leaders are busy negotiating before the summit between Trump and Putin, Russian troops are advancing.
As European leaders are negotiating, Russian troops are advancing. According to an analysis by AFP based on data provided by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and the "Critical Threats Project" (CTP), on Tuesday, August 12, Russian forces achieved the largest advance within Ukraine in over a year within 24 hours. Moreover, in recent weeks, the advance of Russian forces within Ukraine has been continuously accelerating. On Wednesday, Moscow also claimed to have captured two villages in eastern Ukraine.
AFP reported that European leaders are holding intensive talks, pressuring the US president to have Ukrainian President Zelenskyy attend the Trump-Putin summit scheduled for Friday, August 15, in Alaska. At the same time, on August 12, the Moscow army advanced or claimed control of more than 110 square kilometers of additional territory compared to the previous day. This is a situation not seen since late May 2024. In recent weeks, Russian forces usually needed six days to advance this much.
Russia also specifically claimed to have captured two villages in eastern Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry stated in a statement that its forces had occupied Nikanorivka and Sovorove, both located in the Donetsk region.
The Donetsk region is a strategically important area, and the rapid advances by Moscow's troops there suggest that the Russian military may be preparing for a major breakthrough.
On Wednesday, Ukraine ordered the evacuation of some residents near the eastern front.
President Zelenskyy of Ukraine also confirmed on Monday that several "combat groups" of Russian forces had advanced about 10 kilometers in the area, but he downplayed the combat capability of the Russian forces, calling them infantry units without heavy equipment, and assured that they would be "soon" eliminated.
The Ukrainian army is inferior to the Russian forces in terms of manpower and equipment, and has been in a defensive position for months, especially in the Donetsk region. This eastern region has been the main battlefield of the Russia-Ukraine conflict since two years ago. About 70% of the Russian advances within Ukraine in 2025 have occurred along this part of the front line. Since September 2022, Moscow has claimed to have annexed this region.
As of August 12, Russia claimed to control 79% of the territory in the region, compared to 62% a year ago.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1840401658945610/
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