Russia Claims Capture of Two Villages in Ukraine

Russia has claimed the capture of two villages, Progres and Yevgenivka, in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, as part of its ongoing offensive towards Pokrovsk. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged that Ukrainian forces are under severe pressure in the area, which has seen intensified Russian assaults. Additionally, Ukraine launched drone attacks on the Russian region of Kursk, damaging an oil depot, though many drones were intercepted by Russian air defenses. The conflict has seen Russia utilizing glide bombs and Shahed drones extensively against Ukrainian forces, who are reportedly facing shortages in weapons and personnel. Ukrainian officials have also called for increased military support from allies, particularly air defense systems, to counter the ongoing Russian attacks. Furthermore, President Putin has threatened to deploy missiles within striking distance of the West in response to the U.S. plans to station long-range missiles in Germany.