Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump signs executive order on changing name of Department of Defense to Department of War
Syrian media: A car bomb detonated in Al Mashhad Street in Aleppo, potential casualties reported
Lebanese government: The army will act within the framework of the relevant decision during the August 5 session, but it has the right to exercise operational discretion
Lebanese government: The Army Commander outlined the restrictions related to the implementation of the plan, the first of which is Israeli attacks
Lebanese government: The Lebanese Army will begin implementing the plan under the available capabilities
Lebanese government: Any progress in implementing the US envoy's paper is contingent on the Israeli side's commitment
Lebanese government: Lebanon approved the paper's objectives in the cabinet and prepared the army's plan, but the Israeli side did not take corresponding steps
Lebanese government: The US envoy’s paper stipulated coordinated steps from all parties, and its implementation is contingent on the approval of the concerned parties
Lebanese government: 'Israel's' continued violations expose regional security and stability to grave risks
Lebanese government: The army command will submit a monthly report to the Council of Ministers

Russia pushes into Donetsk before Trump–Putin summit in Alaska

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 12 Aug 2025 22:59
4 Min Read

Russian forces have advanced up to 17 km in Donetsk ahead of the Trump–Putin summit, with Ukraine warning Moscow seeks leverage in possible peace talks.

Listen
  • x
  • Russia pushes into Donetsk before Trump–Putin summit in Alaska
    Russian servicemen fire a BM-27 Uragan multiple rocket launcher towards Ukrainian positions. (Sputnik)

Russian forces have made a sudden advance in eastern Ukraine near the coal-mining town of Dobropillia, in what Ukrainian officials say is a bid to gain leverage ahead of Friday’s Trump–Putin summit.

Trump has confirmed that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss a potential “land swap” as part of efforts to end the war in Ukraine during their summit in Alaska on Friday. 

At a White House press conference on Monday, Trump expressed frustration with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for insisting that any deal involving territorial concessions must be approved through a national referendum.

Ukraine’s DeepState war map showed on Tuesday that Russian troops had advanced at least 10 km north in two prongs in recent days, part of an effort to take full control of the Donetsk region. Some reports from analysts suggest the push has reached up to 17 km in depth.

 Russian forces make rapid gains near Dobropillia

The Russian Defense Ministry said its “Center” army grouping had improved positions along the frontline. DeepState reported advances near three villages linked to Kostyantynivka and Pokrovsk, describing the situation as “chaotic” as Russian units exploited gaps in Ukrainian defenses.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the advances but said Russian troops lacked heavy equipment and were vulnerable to counterattacks. “We will find and destroy the rest shortly,” he said, accusing Moscow of trying to portray Ukraine as “losing” ahead of the summit.

Related News

Carnegie: US push for military approach to Hezbollah arms worst option

ICE raids Hyundai battery plant construction site, detains hundreds

Military analyst Pasi Paroinen of the Black Bird Group said Russian infiltration groups had reached the Dobropillia–Kramatorsk road (T0514) and were reported close to Dobropillia itself.

Push seen as leverage ahead of Trump–Putin talks

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to discuss a possible deal to end the war during their meeting in Alaska. Media reports claim Putin wants Ukraine to hand over the parts of Donetsk still under Kiev’s control.

Military analysts note Russia has previously launched offensives before negotiations to strengthen its position, notably in 2014 and 2015.

Former Kremlin adviser Sergei Markov said Ukraine’s shortage of troops had enabled the advance, calling it “a gift” to both Putin and Trump during talks. However, capturing the rest of Donetsk would still require taking heavily fortified cities such as Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkivka, and Kostyantynivka.

Some pro-Ukrainian analysts caution that Russia’s tactic of sending small, fast-moving groups may secure temporary gains without ensuring long-term control, making the overall impact uncertain.

Zelensky has rejected any deal involving ceding territory, saying peace must be “just.” Bohdan Krotevych, a lieutenant colonel in Ukraine’s National Guard and former Azov brigade chief of staff, warned the frontline near Dobropillia was “a complete mess” and required urgent reinforcement.

Russian forces advance in Krasnyi Lyman direction, DPR head reports

The Russian armed forces are making gains in the Krasnyi Lyman direction, expanding the territory under their control, the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), Denis Pushilin, said on Sunday.

“Krasnyi Lyman direction: our troops are expanding their control zone. Battles are currently taking place near the village of Torskoye and also in Shandrigolovo. The enemy’s main fortified stronghold has been eliminated. The enemy is trying to counterattack, actively using drones and artillery, but the Zapad battle group continues its offensive,” Pushilin said in a video posted on his Telegram channel.

This comes right after the United States revealed its intention to halt its funds to Ukraine for the war. Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday that growing numbers of Americans opposing the continued use of taxpayer money to support the conflict triggered the decision.

Meanwhile, Russia continues to make significant territorial gains on the frontlines of its special military operation, while the Ukrainian side faces mounting challenges and diminished financial support. 

  • Russia
  • Nato
  • Ukraine
  • war in Ukraine
  • Donald Trump
  • Alaska
  • United States
  • Volodymyr Zelensky
  • Vladimir Putin
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Al Mayadeen English

Hezbollah’s weapons and the lessons of Syria, PLO, and Algeria

  • Politics
  • 2 Sep 2025
This Jan. 31, 2019 file photo, shows an oil platform in the Leviathan natural gas field, in the Mediterranean Sea off the Palestinian coast. (AP)

Netanyahu freezes $35 bln gas deal with Egypt over troops in Sinai

  • Politics
  • 2 Sep 2025
The Coming War On Iran Will Be Regional, Perhaps International

The coming war on Iran will be regional, perhaps international

  • Opinion
  • 2 Sep 2025
ap

Germany blocks EU push to sanction 'Israel' over war on Gaza

  • Politics
  • 31 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Senators demand end to GHF amid ethnic cleansing allegations
Palestine

Democratic senators call GHF Gaza aid scheme deadly, urge funding cut

Finnish flag in an undated photo (AFP)
Politics

Finland backs UN declaration supporting 'two-state solution'

UN Probe: Sudan’s RSF committed ‘myriad crimes against humanity’
Politics

Sudan’s RSF committed ‘myriad crimes against humanity’: UN probe

How a secret SEAL team 6 mission in North Korea collapsed under fire
Politics

How a covert US SEAL Team 6 mission in DPRK collapsed under fire

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS