Russia has claimed another territorial gain in eastern Ukraine as fighting intensifies alongside escalating long-range drone attacks between the two countries.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the Sever, or North, group of forces captured the village of Shesterivka in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region during ongoing military operations along the front line.
Moscow also reported a large wave of overnight Ukrainian drone strikes, claiming Russian air defense systems intercepted 121 drones across multiple regions of the country.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Kyiv launched long-range drone operations targeting Russian infrastructure. He described the attacks as “long-range sanctions” aimed at weakening Russia’s military and economic capabilities.
Zelenskyy stated that one of Russia’s major oil refineries located in Syzran, in the Samara region, sustained severe damage during the strikes. The attack highlights Ukraine’s increasing focus on targeting strategic Russian energy facilities far from the battlefield.
Independent verification of military claims from either Moscow or Kyiv remains difficult because of the continuing war and limited access to frontline areas. The latest developments underline the growing intensity of cross-border attacks as both sides seek strategic advantages in the prolonged conflict.
PRESS UPDATE