**Russian Forces Occupy Two Villages in Ukraine, Push Towards Dnipropetrovsk Oblast**
In a worrying development for Ukraine, Russian forces have taken control of two villages near the administrative border with Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. According to the battlefield monitoring platform DeepState, the villages of Zelenyi Kut and Novoukrainka in Donetsk Oblast were occupied by Russian troops on July 5.
This push further west marks a significant escalation of Russian attacks in the area, which has been a central battleground since February 2022. Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, located to the west, has not seen significant incursions from Russia but has been frequently targeted with missile and drone strikes.
The situation around the nearby settlement of Dachne is “pretty intense,” DeepState reported on Telegram. Ukrainian forces have deployed reinforcements in an attempt to push back against Russian units, which are relying on numerical advantage and constant infantry assaults to breach defenses.
While Ukraine’s military has not officially confirmed the loss of the settlements, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed Novoukrainka was captured as early as June 29. However, this assertion was not independently verified at the time.
**Moscow’s Motives**
Analysts suggest that Moscow views an incursion into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast as symbolically significant and a propaganda opportunity. For Ukraine, holding the administrative line is a strategic priority. As Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi noted, Russian troops are ramping up attacks in the sector using large numbers of troops.
**Regional Tensions Rise**
The occupation of Zelenyi Kut and Novoukrainka comes as tensions in the region continue to rise. Russia launched 322 drones overnight, including Iranian-designed Shahed-type attack drones, according to Ukraine’s Air Force. The airfield hosts Su-34, Su-35S, and Su-30SM jets that Russia regularly uses in air strikes against Ukraine.
Fires broke out across the city of Kyiv as Russia attacked the capital overnight on July 4, injuring at least 23 people, with 14 hospitalized. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attacks, stating, “Who is behind those attacks is clear to all of us here.”
**Global Reaction**
The international community has responded to the escalating situation in Ukraine. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed concern over Russia’s actions, saying, “It just seems like he wants to go all the way and just keep killing people. It’s not good.” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte commended outgoing U.S. Army General Christopher G. Cavoli for his contributions to modernizing NATO’s collective defense and bolstering support for Ukraine.
**What’s Next?**
As tensions continue to rise, diplomats are working behind the scenes to address the situation. A French official told Politico that on the agenda is “how to maintain Ukraine in a capacity to fight, how to increase pressure on Russia, and how to continue the work on the next steps.”
The U.S. has not halted assistance to Ukraine despite reviewing components supplied to the country. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that the U.S. has not ceased support for Ukraine.
As the situation in Ukraine continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the world is watching with bated breath.
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