On Saturday, Russia announced that its military forces in eastern Ukraine had seized control of two villages in the Donetsk region, increasing the military pressure on the ground as global leaders struggle to negotiate a resolution to the ongoing conflict.

Russian troops are gradually progressing in the conflict-ridden eastern area, inching closer to Kyiv’s critical defensive line amid intense and costly battles where territory is contested meter by meter.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported via Telegram that its forces had taken control of the villages of Sredneye and Kleban-Byk.

The capture of Kleban-Byk represents a significant move towards Kostiantynivka, an important fortified town on the route to Kramatorsk, which hosts a major logistics base for Ukraine.

On Friday, Russia claimed that its troops had also taken three villages in the Donetsk region that it had annexed back in September 2022.

These recent advances by Russia occur against a backdrop of diminishing prospects for a summit between the presidents of Russia and Ukraine, a dialogue previously advocated by U.S. President Donald Trump in his efforts to resolve the conflict.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on Friday that “no meeting” was scheduled as Trump’s mediation attempts appeared to be faltering, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of attempting to extend its offensive.

Additionally, on Friday, Trump informed reporters that he would be making an “important” decision regarding peace efforts in Ukraine within two weeks, indicating that Russia could face severe sanctions, or he might choose not to take any action at all.