Russia has made new advances in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to the US to discuss plans for ending the war. According to Denis Pushilin, the Russian-installed governor of Donetsk, Moscow’s forces have captured the town of Ukrainsk near Pokrovsk, a logistical hub. Ukrainian group DeepState, which monitors the battlefield and has ties to Ukraine’s defense ministry, confirmed these territorial gains on Wednesday.
DeepState also reported that Russian forces are making progress and appear closer to encircling Vulhedar and Kurakove, two towns further south in the same area. If these towns fall, it would allow Russia’s forces to encircle and take Pokrovsk, cutting off Ukraine’s main supply line.
Ukraine’s manpower and weapons deficits have contributed to Russia’s recent advances in the region. Despite Kyiv’s surprise incursion into Russia’s southern Kursk region last month, there has been no Russian redeployment from Donetsk. Instead, Moscow has redirected troops from other areas to defend its own territory.
However, Ukrainian forces have claimed some gains in the northern border area of Kharkiv region where Russia occupied land in May.
Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with US President Joe Biden on Thursday and present him with a four-point “Victory Plan” aimed at forcing Russia into negotiations. The details of this plan have not been disclosed publicly but Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential administration stated that it includes an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO.
Ukraine applied for NATO membership soon after Russia invaded in 2022 but no specific timeline has been committed by NATO so far. Membership would mean that any further Russian attack on Ukraine would be considered an attack on all alliance members – a prospect that many allies are cautious about.
Zelenskyy revealed last week that his plan also includes US security guarantees for Ukraine as well as delivering more advanced weapons and using Kursk as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Russia. He wants this plan implemented before Biden leaves office early next year if there is a Republican victory in November’s US presidential elections.
It remains uncertain whether Zelenskyy will meet with Republican candidate Donald Trump during his visit to the US. Trump previously referred to Zelenskyy as “the greatest salesman in history” after promising multiple times during his campaign trail speeches that he could end the war “in a day,” suggesting potential capitulation on Moscow’s terms.
During his address at UN headquarters in New York City on Tuesday, Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia must be compelled into peace and ruled out accepting a frozen conflict scenario which he believes would only lead to another invasion under worse circumstances.
