Russia advances in eastern Ukraine, captures frontline village near industrial hub

Russia’s military announced on Sunday it had made further advances in eastern Ukraine, capturing the small frontline village of Izmailivka, located a few kilometers north of the strategically significant, Ukrainian-held industrial hub of Kurakhove. The Russian defense ministry referred to the capture as the “liberation” of the settlement, highlighting an ongoing campaign to secure territory in the area.

Izmailivka, home to fewer than 200 residents before the conflict, lies approximately eight kilometers north of Kurakhove, a critical location for Ukraine’s industrial operations. Moscow’s forces have been making gradual gains in the region, placing Ukrainian defenders under increased pressure amid Russia’s sustained offensive. Russian units are also pushing to surround Kurakhivka, a nearby frontline town, aiming to tighten control over this contested stretch.

Following Sunday’s territorial announcement, Moscow reported the interception of 109 Ukrainian drones over multiple Russian regions, including areas near the border, according to the defense ministry.

As Moscow presses forward on the battlefield, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a warning on Sunday regarding potential Western support for Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons against Russian territory. “It’s too early to say yet, but of course our military department is thinking about it and will offer various responses,” Putin remarked in an interview broadcast on state television.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has, for several months, sought authorization from Western allies to deploy long-range missiles against targets deeper within Russian borders, suggesting that such actions would motivate Russia to pursue a peaceful resolution. While the United States and the United Kingdom had indicated last month that a decision on supplying such weaponry was approaching, they subsequently postponed the move in response to Putin’s cautionary statement that supporting Ukraine’s expanded capabilities could escalate tensions, potentially drawing NATO into a direct conflict with Moscow.

Putin voiced his hope that Western leaders had taken his warning seriously. “They didn’t tell me anything about it, but I hope they heard,” he said, signaling continued concern over NATO’s involvement in the conflict.