On Saturday, President Volodymyr Zelensky told Reuters that Ukrainian troops had reclaimed 125‑140 square kilometres of territory in the Lyman front of Donetsk. The area, previously under Russian occupation, was seized during Operation Vivaldi, which began last month.
Zelensky said the offensive was postponed a year earlier due to lack of readiness, but the current push has reduced Ukrainian casualties and increased Russian losses to an estimated 42,000 per month, up from 30,000–32,000 since January.
Meanwhile, a Russian Shahed drone slammed into Kyiv’s Pivnichnyi Bridge, and overnight attacks struck residential blocks, rail lines and energy sites across multiple regions, including a vessel hit in Chornomorsk.
In response, Russia’s foreign ministry warned of "systematic and sustained strikes" against Kyiv, citing alleged terrorist attacks by Ukraine, and urged foreign nationals to leave the city.
Zelensky added that the United States – especially former President Trump – is pushing for a mid‑term‑election victory, while Russia’s Vladimir Putin is moving toward a non‑negotiable stance. The Ukrainian government plans to press the counteroffensive into the next week and seek a UN Security Council resolution.