President Zelensky stated that Russia would need another four years to fully occupy the Donbas region, which it partially invaded in 2014. Currently, after a full-scale war, Russia controls approximately two-thirds of the Donetsk Oblast. Zelensky views Russia’s insistence on Ukraine withdrawing from Donbas as a potential condition for declaring victory. Furthermore, he denied reports that he didn’t reject a land swap with Russia, asserting his willingness to discuss territorial issues directly with Putin.
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President Zelenskyy stated Ukraine could not cede territory in exchange for a ceasefire, fearing Russia would use it as a launchpad for future aggression. He expressed hope that the upcoming Trump-Putin summit in Alaska would lead to honest mediation, though he remained wary of Russian intentions, citing ongoing attacks and preparations for new offensives. Zelenskyy emphasized the strategic importance of the Donbas region and called for a ceasefire based on current frontlines, prisoner exchanges, and security guarantees before any discussion of territory. While acknowledging Russian advances, he also stated that the Russian offensive will result in heavy casualties for the invading forces.
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Zelenskyy insists Ukraine will not pull its forces out of Donbas. It’s a pretty clear statement, and honestly, it’s hard to imagine him doing anything else. The idea of Ukraine simply ceding territory, especially in the Donbas region, in exchange for some vague promise of peace just doesn’t hold water. It’s a brilliant piece of propaganda from the other side to even suggest that in the first place, designed to create a false narrative.
The core of the issue is this: there are absolutely no guarantees of peace if Ukraine simply hands over land. Zero, zilch, nada. To frame the situation as “giving up land = peace” is a fundamentally flawed equation.… Continue reading
According to a source familiar with the negotiations, Russia has proposed that Ukraine cede Donbas in exchange for a ceasefire, but without offering to return any occupied territories. The Kremlin is unwilling to relinquish control of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, as they provide a crucial land bridge to Crimea. A former official suggests Russia may be leaning toward a temporary truce to allow for elections. This comes as President Trump has indicated a potential territorial trade for peace, a notion rejected by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.
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Russian forces conducted airstrikes targeting energy infrastructure in Slovyansk, Donetsk region, resulting in power outages across parts of the city. Simultaneously, explosions rocked Kramatorsk, with reports indicating guided aerial bombs impacting residential areas. A military correspondent confirmed the use of aerial bombs in the Slovyansk attack. These strikes underscore the ongoing targeting of civilian infrastructure in eastern Ukraine.
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Recent open-source intelligence indicates Russian forces have advanced to within 5 kilometers of Pokrovsk, a crucial logistical hub in Donetsk, utilizing flanking maneuvers to circumvent Ukrainian defenses. This advance, described as “extremely fierce” by Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief, follows a pattern of faster-than-usual Russian gains in the region since the fall of Vuhledar. Ukrainian officials attribute the situation to a combination of Russian manpower superiority and challenges with troop training and preparedness. The potential for Ukrainian counter-offensives and unconventional tactics is also being discussed.
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President Zelensky announced record Russian military losses in November and December, attributing the success to recent Ukrainian strikes on Russian military and energy infrastructure. These attacks, including those on Taganrog and Bryansk, demonstrate increasing Ukrainian range and accuracy, pushing Russia closer to ending the war. Intense fighting continues in the Donetsk region, with the Russian army suffering substantial casualties in ongoing assaults. Zelensky specifically praised several Ukrainian brigades for their contributions to these battlefield victories.
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Ukrainian forces, spearheaded by the 48th Separate Assault Battalion, liberated Novy Komar village in Donetsk Oblast from Russian occupation on December 4th, inflicting heavy casualties and capturing enemy marines. The successful operation leveraged effective assault infantry tactics and significant support from FPV drone teams. Simultaneously, Ukrainian troops repelled a Russian bridgehead attempt near Novomlynsk in Kharkiv Oblast, maintaining control of the Oskil River’s west bank. Both victories demonstrate continued Ukrainian success in pushing back Russian forces.
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Russia’s territorial gains in Ukraine have significantly accelerated in 2024, exceeding 2023’s gains by nearly sixfold, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). This advance, particularly in the eastern Donbas region, threatens key Ukrainian logistical hubs like Kupiansk and Kurakhove, leading experts to warn of a potential collapse of the Ukrainian eastern front. Simultaneously, Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, while initially successful, is now faltering as Russian forces reclaim lost territory, raising concerns about the strategic effectiveness of the operation. The situation is further complicated by the prospect of a second Trump administration and potential reductions in US military aid to Ukraine.
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Ukrainian troops are reportedly fighting to restrain one of Russia’s most powerful offensives since the beginning of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. The force of the Russian advance has increased considerably since September, with Russia stating that it has claimed two more Settlements in the Donbas region, a significant area of conflict and loss. As the winter looms, concerns are growing that the country may be facing the toughest season of the war yet, especially following long-range Russian air strikes, which have cut around half of Ukraine’s power generation capacity. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has been seeking support from NATO countries, aiming to use long-range missiles provided by these countries to reach targets inside Russia.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood