Russia Captures Two Villages in Eastern Ukraine

Russia has announced the capture of two villages, Yantarne in the Donetsk region and Kalinove in the Kharkiv region, as part of its ongoing military campaign in eastern Ukraine. Yantarne is located approximately 10 kilometers southwest of the strategic logistics hub Kurakhove, which Russia claims to have seized recently. Russian forces also reported significant advances northwest of Kurakhove and established a bridgehead across the Oskil River at Kalinove, marking a crucial shift in the conflict. In response to these advances, Ukraine's air force claimed to have shot down 60 Russian drones in a single night, preventing further damage. Despite these defensive measures, drone fragments caused property damage in several regions of Ukraine, while a Ukrainian drone strike in Kherson resulted in civilian casualties. The ongoing conflict continues to escalate as both sides engage in heavy military operations.