#Donbas

Ukrainian Forces Advance in Donbas and Zaporizhzhia, - ISW

Politics 09/30/2026, 09:59

Ukraine's Defense Forces have disrupted Russian attacks and advanced in the Donbas and Zaporizhzhia region, ISW analytical reports confirm.

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Drapaty Without a Revolution: How the New Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Is Changing the Approach to Frontline Management and What Awaits the Pokrovsk-Dobropillia Axis

Politics 09/21/2026, 10:03

After Mykhailo Drapatyi was appointed commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, no mass personnel purge took place, but the approach to promoting officers and delegating powers has changed. Russia is intensifying pressure on the Pokrovsk-Dobropillia axis and preparing a new campaign of strikes on the rear.

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"You said the same thing a year ago": Kushner rebuts Putin's promise to seize Donbas within months

Politics 09/19/2026, 11:03

According to the NYT, at a Kremlin meeting in early September Putin stated that Russia would seize Donbas within a few months, but Jared Kushner rebutted: "You said the same thing a year ago."

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Ukrainian Forces Improve Positions on the Kupiansk and Drobuvka Axes and Confirm 'Vivaldi' Counteroffensive Near Lyman for the First Time — ISW

Politics 09/16/2026, 19:01

According to ISW, Ukrainian forces improved their positions on the Kupiansk, Drobuvka, and Huliaipole axes, disrupting Russian assaults and officially confirming the 'Vivaldi' counteroffensive near Lyman for the first time.

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"Mobilization Won't Help": Former CIA Director Petreus Assesses the Limits of Russia's Military Ambitions

Politics 09/16/2026, 18:52

In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, former CIA Director David Petreus stated that even a new mobilization of 100,000–200,000 soldiers will not allow Russia to achieve its military objectives, while Ukrainian innovations and strikes on air defense are systematically undermining Moscow's offensive potential.

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Operation "Vivaldi": Third Army Corps Launches Offensive in Northern Donbas and Liberates Seredne

Politics 09/15/2026, 14:25

The Third Army Corps of the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched the offensive operation "Vivaldi" in northern Donetsk Oblast, liberating Seredne and clearing about 75 sq. km. General Biletsky called the first stage of a multi-phase operation.

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Russian Orthodox Church sends fragment of St. Dmitry of Don's relics to the front line in Ukraine: insiders call the move a violation of canon

Politics 09/11/2026, 04:00

The Russian Orthodox Church transferred a fragment of St. Dmitry of Don's relics, discovered in summer in the Assumption Cathedral, to the front line in Ukraine. Within the Church, the move is criticized as a violation of canon in the name of loyalty to the Kremlin.

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To the supermarket in an armored vehicle: how Kramatorsk volunteers live under the threat of FPV drones

Politics 09/09/2026, 17:09

A volunteer from Universal Aid Ukraine described how, in Kramatorsk, even a trip to the supermarket now requires an armored vehicle and a "Chuyka" detector because of FPV drones. In 2025, the team evacuated 1,200 civilians.

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Palisa reveals new Kremlin deadline for Donbas: Russia's politburo sets end of 2026, military asks for extension to March 2027

Politics 09/08/2026, 01:39

Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Palisa, at a meeting with Witkoff and Kushner, revealed that Russia's politburo set a deadline for the full occupation of Donetsk Oblast by the end of 2026, while Russian military officials are asking for an extension to March 31, 2027.

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Vitkoff and Kushner Brought Updated Peace Plans to Kyiv, but No Breakthrough — FT

Politics 09/07/2026, 19:14

Trump's special envoys Witkoff and Kushner arrived in Kyiv for the first time and presented Zelenskyy with updated peace documents. According to FT, no breakthrough was achieved, and there were few new ideas in the proposals.

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Zelensky Moves to a Tête-à-Tête with Witkoff and Kushner: What Is Known About the Talks in Kyiv

Politics 09/06/2026, 21:15

Volodymyr Zelensky moved to a closed tête-à-tête meeting with American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner after several rounds of negotiations in Kyiv. The conditions for ending the war and the issue of Donbas were discussed.

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Witkoff: US expects a soon announcement of trilateral talks on Ukraine — both sides will make compromises

Politics 09/06/2026, 21:10

US Special Envoy Witkoff stated in Kyiv that Washington expects a near-term announcement of trilateral talks on Ukraine and emphasized the need for compromises from both sides. Kyiv, for its part, insists on the key role of the Donbas and is discussing winter support.

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Zelensky After Talks with Witkoff and Kushner: The Donbas Question Is the Question of the Entire War

Politics 09/06/2026, 20:39

Following talks with Witkoff and Kushner in Kyiv, Zelensky called the Donbas question key to the war and a condition for diplomacy, pointing to new discussions with the U.S. and Europe in the coming weeks.

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ISW: Russian forces made no confirmed advances on key front sections over September 4–5

Politics 09/06/2026, 09:58

According to ISW, over September 4–5 Russian forces made no confirmed advances on most axes — from the Sumy region to Donbas — while the Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled attacks and struck enemy logistics and communications.

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Kremlin Launches New Wave of Fakes About 'AFU Atrocities' in Donbas: NSSC Counter-Disinformation Center Reveals Typical Propaganda Templates

Politics 09/06/2026, 08:33

The CDC at the NSDC of Ukraine reported a new wave of Russian disinformation about alleged 'AFU atrocities' in Donbas: propagandists are replicating unverifiable accounts of 'eyewitnesses' using standard templates to discredit the Ukrainian army and distract from the consequences of the aggression.

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Reuters: Kremlin source says Putin expects to capture the rest of Donbas by the end of 2026

Politics 09/06/2026, 07:38

According to Reuters, a source close to the Kremlin stated that Putin intends to complete the capture of the remaining part of Donetsk Oblast by the end of 2026. Western analysts consider these timelines unrealistic.

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Witkoff and Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv on Sept 5–6: US proposes conditions for a temporary halt to strikes

Politics 09/05/2026, 00:52

Trump's special envoys Witkoff and Kushner will visit Moscow and Kyiv on September 5–6 to resume peace negotiations. The US is demanding a temporary halt to strikes by both sides during the visit; the key issue remains control over the Donbas.

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Russian military leadership asks Kremlin to move Donbas deadline to March 2027 — OP

Politics 08/29/2026, 11:41

OP Deputy Head Pavlo Palisa stated that the Russian military leadership is asking to move the deadline for capturing the Donbas from 31 December 2026 to 31 March 2027. Kyiv considers even this timeframe unrealistic.

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