Russian forces have taken control of the villages of Stepovaya Novosyolovka in the Kharkiv Region and Novopokrovskoe in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) within the last 24 hours, according to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry on Monday.

The ministry reported that "through active operations, units of the Tsentr [Central] Group of Forces liberated Novopokrovskoe in the DPR, thereby enhancing the tactical situation." Additionally, Russia's Zapad (West) Group of Forces secured control of Stepovaya Novosyolovka in the Kharkiv Region.

This comes one day after Russian forces seized control of the villages of Spornoe (also known as Spirne) and Novoalexandrovka (also known as Novooleksandrivka) in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) in one day, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

The ministry explained that "units of the Tsentr group of forces liberated the village of Novoalexandrovka in the Donetsk People's Republic... Over the past 24 hours, five counterattacks by assault groups of the 24th, 31st, 41st mechanized, and 68th chaser brigades of the Ukrainian army were repulsed," and Russian troops' Yug (South) grouping secured possession of Spornoe.

Dive deeper

Ukraine lost up to 820 servicemen, eight vehicles, a US-made M777 howitzer, a Msta-B howitzer, two D-30 howitzers, two Rapira anti-tank guns, and a US-made AN/TPQ-36 counter-battery radar in fights with Tsentr and Yug groups in 24 hours, it highlighted on Sunday.

Up to 285 Ukrainian servicemen were killed in the Sever (North) group, and a tank, five vehicles, and a US-made Paladin self-propelled artillery system were also destroyed.

At the time, the Ministry stated that two US-made M777 howitzers, a D-20 howitzer, a Rapita anti-tank gun, and a Grad multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) were also eviscerated.

Russia's Zapad (West) group of forces killed up to 515 Ukrainian soldiers and damaged two armored vehicles and four vehicles, according to the ministry. 

During the attack, a UK-made Braveheart self-propelled artillery mount, two US-made M777 howitzers, a Gvozdika self-propelled artillery unit, a Msta-B howitzer, and a Grad MLRS were all struck, according to the ministry.

Russia's Dnepr group of troops killed up to 105 Ukrainian soldiers and destroyed two US-made M777 howitzers and a D-30 howitzer, as well as a US-made M119 howitzer, an Anklav electronic warfare station, and three field ammo stores, the ministry said.

It is worth noting that the Ukrainian military, which has been grappling with acute shortages of soldiers, has lowered the mobilization age and intensified recruitment efforts.

As the war wears on, Ukrainians grapple with difficult choices and the harsh realities of conflict. Meanwhile, the West refuses to seek a peace process unfold, as Western leaders continue to deliver arms and munitions to Zelensky.