Meanwhile, in the east, Russia’s defense ministry claimed that its forces have taken the village of Chervona Zirka. This represents a potentially major turning point in the continuing war in eastern Ukraine. At the same time, Moscow is trying to overall a much wider strategy to infiltrate Ukrainian defenses. Their mission is to lead in all three major operating arenas. As the war continues, Russia asserts that any progress toward a settlement hinges on Ukraine recognizing Moscow’s control over four regions: Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.
Today, Russian forces control nearly one-fifth of Ukraine. Yet they fail to completely control each of the four disputed areas. That slow creeping offensive across eastern Ukraine has caused extensive damage to key urban centers and public infrastructure. Russian military forces are now laser-focused on cementing control over the whole Donetsk oblast. Kostiantynivka has become a key target of their new offensive.
Ukrainian ground forces chief Oleksandr Syrskyi noted the intense combat near Kostiantynivka, stressing the difficulty that Russian troops were encountering. He stated, “The enemy is surging towards Kostiantynivka, but apart from sustaining numerous losses, has achieved nothing.”
In an unusual geopolitical twist, Russian culture minister Olga Lyubimova has touched down in North Korea. By her side is an equally vibrant female force of 125 gifted performers. This visit serves as a reminder of the deepening relationship between Russia and North Korea since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Their burgeoning relationship was further illustrated in May by the signing of a treaty that includes a mutual defense pact between the two nations.
Poland has been crucial in aiding Ukraine during the entire course of the war. Since the invasion started in early 2022, Poland has taken in more than a million Ukrainians. Such robust support has made Poland one of the closest allies to Ukraine. It’s become a key logistics hub for Western military assistance intended to help Kyiv shore up its defense against Russian aggression.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, his Polish counterpart—outgoing President Andrzej Duda—was the first head of state to visit Kyiv following Russia’s invasion. Speaking with the President of Poland during their visit, Zelenskyy said holding these close ties is crucial while violence continues to rage through Ukraine. He remarked, “We will do everything in our power to ensure that relations between our countries only grow stronger.”