Russia says captured two villages in Ukraines Donetsk area

Russia on Saturday (August 23, 2025) stated its forces in east Ukraine had taken two villages within the Donetsk area, upping army stress on the bottom as world leaders battle to dealer an finish to the battle.

Russian forces are slowly advancing within the embattled japanese area, grinding nearer to Kyiv’s key defensive position in expensive metre-for-metre battles.

Moscow’s defence ministry stated on Telegram that Russian forces captured the villages of Sredneye and Kleban-Byk.

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The taking of Kleban-Byk would mark an additional advance in the direction of Kostiantynivka — a key fortified city on the street to Kramatorsk, the place a significant Ukrainian logistics base is situated.

On Friday, Russia stated its troops had captured three villages within the Donetsk area it claimed to have annexed in September 2022.

The newest Russian advances come as hopes dim for a summit between Russian and Ukrainian presidents — an answer campaigned for by US President Donald Trump as a part of his efforts to finish the battle.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated Friday “no assembly” was deliberate as Trump’s mediation efforts appeared to stall, whereas Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated Russia was attempting to delay the offensive.

Also Friday, Trump instructed reporters he would make an “vital” determination in two weeks on Ukraine peace efforts, specifying that Moscow may face huge sanctions — or he may “do nothing”.