Ukraine Denies Russian Breakthrough Near Donetsk Amid Intense Fighting

Ukrainian forces continue to deny reports of a significant Russian breakthrough near Pokrovsk and Dobropillia in the Donetsk region, despite Russian advances into nearby settlements and attempts to secure key positions. The fighting remains intense, with Ukrainian troops facing encirclement threats and a narrowing supply corridor, while Russian forces leverage their numerical superiority to consolidate gains and threaten critical logistics routes. Ukrainian military leadership emphasizes that small infiltrations do not equate to control over territory, but concerns grow over recruitment challenges, desertion, and the potential collapse of the eastern front. Diplomatic efforts, including a planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, aim to find a resolution, but skepticism persists among Ukrainian soldiers about the prospects of peace amid ongoing hostilities and territorial disputes. European leaders affirm the necessity of Ukraine's involvement in any peace process and insist that international borders must not be changed by force, calling for robust security guarantees and a just, lasting peace. Meanwhile, Russian missile strikes continue to inflict casualties on Ukrainian forces, underscoring the relentless nature of the conflict despite diplomatic overtures.