 "Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks, as he visits the army command centre in the course of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, in an unidentified location, in this still image taken from a video released October 26, 2025. Image/Kremlin.ru via Reuters")
Russia’s army announced on Sunday that it had secured control of two more settlements in southern Ukraine, as its troops continue gradually pushing back Ukrainian units that are struggling with manpower and equipment shortages.
In a statement posted on Telegram, the Russian Defence Ministry reported that its forces had captured the villages of Rivnopillia and Mala Tokmachka in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Even though battles in Zaporizhzhia are less intense than in the east, Russian troops with more men and weapons are gaining ground on both fronts.
The eastern battlefield is currently focused on the strategic transport hub of Pokrovsk. Russian fighters have reportedly entered the area in big numbers over recent weeks, placing additional strain on Ukrainian defensive positions.
Diplomacy remains stalled. Peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia have shown no progress, and a proposed meeting in Budapest between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to materialise.