Tag: ukraine

Russian Forces Advance in Donetsk Capturing Three Villages

Russian forces have taken control of three settlements in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

The captured areas include Katerynivka, Volodymyrivka, and Rusyn Yar, which are part of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic. This development occurred amid ongoing heavy combat in the eastern front.

The advances represent incremental progress in Russia’s military campaign in Donetsk Oblast. Troops are pushing toward key Ukrainian positions, including areas near Pokrovsk, a significant logistics center.

These gains follow the earlier seizure of Avdiivka in February 2024, which opened pathways for further operations northwest.

In the past week, Russia has claimed control over nine additional Ukrainian settlements. These include Kolodezi by the Western military group and Oleksandro-Shultyne along with another Katerynivka by the Southern group.

The Pokrovsk offensive, ongoing since July 2024, focuses on capturing this strategically vital city. Pokrovsk serves as a major supply hub with intersections of highways leading to Chasiv Yar and Kostiantynivka. Its railway station supports regional operations, making it a high-priority target for Russian forces.

Recent assessments show Russian units conducting attacks near Pokrovsk and surrounding areas like Rodynske and Krasnyi Lyman.

Geolocated footage confirms Ukrainian counterattacks in places such as Petrivka north of Pokrovsk. The situation remains fluid, with neither side fully securing initiative in the Dobropillya penetration.

Kostiantynivka, located about 20 miles from the newly captured villages, holds importance as part of Ukraine’s fortress belt in western Donetsk.

This network of fortified towns provides a defensive bulwark against further Russian incursions. Control of such areas aids in maintaining supply lines and logistical support for Ukrainian troops.

Artillery fire has damaged a major gas pipeline in the region, leading to the suspension of supplies to Kostiantynivka.

The Donetsk regional administration reported that operational pressure could no longer be maintained due to extensive damage. As a result, civilian evacuations from the town have commenced.

Shelling in Kostiantynivka has caused additional consequences, including injuries to at least one person. The attacks have disrupted essential services, exacerbating challenges for remaining residents. Restoration efforts for gas supply have been deemed unfeasible under current conditions.

Broader territorial shifts in Donetsk include Russian gains of 241 square miles between mid-July and mid-August 2025.

These advances highlight the concentration of Russian efforts in the area. Ukrainian forces continue to mount defenses and counteroperations to stabilize the front.

Keep reading

Ukraine, NATO, & Europe Will NEVER Accept Peace with Russia – You Will See

I have to admit that what I have seen from the Western Press is nothing but absurd propaganda and complete ignorance of the concept of strategy. They love to say Trump failed after previously pushing for a ceasefire and threatening severe consequences for Russia if Putin did not stop the war. President Trump appeared to back off that demand. WHY? If I were Putin, there would be no way I would agree to a ceasefire because the last time that only opens a window to rearm Ukraine. These morons are complete idiots at best, may be able to play checkers, but certainly never chess. I do not see any intelligence commenting on any network with the slightest concept of strategy.

Trump offered a security guarantee, and Steve Witkoff had told CNN that Russia agreed to “Article 5-like” protections for Ukraine during Friday’s summit. This is precisely what I have been saying. Putin has been there since 1999, and he has shown ZERO interest in taking all of Europe. That is the NATO/NEOCON Bullshit that was true with Khruschev when it was a war of Communism vs Capitalism.

Every source I have says the same thing that Putin may be the most intelligent man on the world table. Even the declassified document from Bill Clinton, dated November 19, 1999, said the same thing.

Keep reading

DNI Tulsi Gabbard Bars Intel Community from Sharing Classified Intelligence Regarding Ukraine Negotiations with Five Eyes Partners – And This Makes Perfect Sense

On Friday, CBS News reported that Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, banned US classified intelligence regarding the negotiations on Ukraine with Five Eyes partners.

The Five Eyes Alliance (FVEY) is an intelligence alliance comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The organization has its origins traced back to World War II.

This information was leaked to CBS News by current intel operatives. They spoke under condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive national security matters.

They should be tossed out the door like the other dirty leakers in the intelligence community.

In 2018, The Gateway Pundit was the first to report that the Deep State was using foreigners to spy on then-candidate Trump in 2015 prior to the 2016 presidential election.  President Trump tweeted our report by Joe Hoft the following day and the fake-news mainstream media immediately attacked him for promoting what they called a “conspiracy theory.”

We later discovered more evidence in 2020 that we were 100% correct in our initial reporting.

Keep reading

MI6 and CIA: Will Broken Bromance Lead to Divide on Ukraine?

“There is now a cooling of the relationship between the US and British governments, and particularly between the CIA and MI6,” retired CIA officer and State Department official Larry Johnson tells Sputnik.

What are the Signs?

The Observer raised concerns about Trump’s stance on US-UK intelligence cooperation and noted the rejection of veteran officer Tom Sylvester as CIA station chief in London. While the Observer did not name the CIA officer, the New York Times and The Telegraph named him on July 28 and August 1, respectively.

The British media concerns may stem from Sylvester’s role as “the primary liaison with MI6″ on Ukraine, Johnson notes.

On August 21, CBS revealed that DNI Tulsi Gabbard barred intelligence sharing on Russia-Ukraine talks with Five Eyes partners the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand from July 20.

In April, reports suggested some European insiders think Britain should reduce intel sharing with Washington.

“There is a change underway with respect to CIA activities in support of the war against Russia using Ukraine as a proxy,” says Johnson. “But I think there’s also another dimension to this: Donald Trump knows or should know that MI6 played a very active role in Russiagate.”

Keep reading

1.7 Mln Losses Exposed After Russian Hackers Crack Ukrainian General Staff Database

The KillNet group hacked the Ukrainian general staff’s database containing information on 1.7 million killed and missing Ukrainian servicemen.

“We can confirm, of course,” a KillNet representative told Sputnik when asked if they indeed have proof of such losses.

The hackers also shared a number of photos of deceased Ukrainian soldiers, their passports and military IDs, death certificates, and tags.

Keep reading

Systemic Corruption Doesn’t Give a Chance for Peace in Ukraine

Another huge scandal linked to embezzlement of budget funds in government procurement has broken out in Ukraine recently. On August 2, Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) exposed an organized criminal group created by “Servant of the People” party’s deputy Oleksii Kuznietsov and head of the State Administration of the Mukachevo District Serhiy Haidai. The group have been organizing purchases of overpriced FPV drones and electronic warfare systems for the National Guard of Ukraine. According to investigation data, beside Kuznietsov and Haidai, a head of one of the Military-Civil Administrations, a unit commander of the National Guard, and representatives of company manufacturing drones were also involved in the huge corruption scheme. During 2024-2025, the criminals embezzled about $80 000 of money allocated for purchasing of defense goods. 30% from every government contract settled in their pockets. Now, all key persons of interest are taken into custody with the possibility of being out on bail. The head of the state Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the situation eloquently calling the fraud “absolutely immoral” and promised a “full and fair accountability” for the criminals.

However, neither high-profile exposure of corrupt officials, nor passionate speeches of the president of the country haven’t been able to dispel the tension, that has accumulated over last several weeks, and exonerate the Kyiv authorities for Ukrainians and international public. The reason for this is recent attempts of authorities to discredit the Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies and restrict their independence which really destroyed civilians’ faith in Zelenskyy’s and his team’s commitment to the rule of law and authorities’ interest in fighting corruption in general. I’m talking about a set of planned and well-coordinated attacks of current authorities on SAPO and NABU which preceded the exposure of the Kuznietsov-Haidai group.  On June 21, the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine (one month before the events the office of Prosecutor General was taken by Ruslan Kravchenko who is known for his loyalty to the Office of the President of Ukraine) and SBU conducted unauthorized searches in both agencies. As the result of the searches, several NABU detectives were taken into custody on suspicion of collaboration with Russia. This joint operation of the secret services and the Prosecutor General’s Office (cynically called by the implementers “special operation”) literally paralyzed the work of NABU and SAPO and created a formal reason for tightening the control over anti-corruption agencies. The reason the Kyiv authorities have been looking for a very long time. And not finding one, they created it themselves. Already on July 22, the Verkhovnaya Rada of Ukraine passed a new law which practically liquidated the independence of anti-corruption agencies and established full control over their work by the Prosecutor General’s Office. Later that night, the new law was quickly signed by the President Zelenskyy despite the will of Ukrainians.

Such an undisguised attempt to liquidate the anti-corruption agencies caused an immediate reaction from Ukrainians. Ukrainians openly stood against the culpable law: hundreds of people went to protests on the streets, and free Ukrainian media was full of critics and disapproval of Kyiv’s authorities. However, I hate to admit it, but Ukrainians wouldn’t stop the authorities’ arbitrariness by themselves without the help of Ukrainian allies. Only due to the fast interference and strong stand of European and American authorities which have made everything they could to stop Kyiv’s authorities’ treacherous actions. The process of liquidation of SAPO and NABU was reversed. As a result, on July 31, under pressure of Ukrainian and international public a new law was passed. It restored the independence of the anti-corruption agencies. Nevertheless, we shouldn’t hope that Kyiv’s authorities stop trying to destroy anti-corruption agencies.

Keep reading

Ukraine Strikes Druzhba Pipeline for the THIRD TIME, Cutting Russian Oil Flow to Hungary and Slovakia – Orbán Complains Online and Trump Answers: ‘I Am Very Angry About It!’

Ukraine bites the hands that feed it.

As we reported three days ago, the Ukrainians have started attacking the Druzhba pipeline that transports Russian crude oil to Hungary and Slovakia.

While strikes on energy infrastructure have become commonplace, this specific pipeline is the lifeline for the Hungarian and Slovak economies.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó took to X, and sais that the ‘strike against our energy security is outrageous and unacceptable!’

The Ukrainian FM Andrii Sybiha was ironic, and told his counterpart ‘You can now send your complaints—and threats—to your friends in Moscow’.

Szijjártó responded with fire, saying:

“Fact 1: Russia has supplied oil to Hungary for decades via the Druzhba pipeline. This is in Hungary’s interest.

Fact 2: Ukraine attacks this pipeline, and because of these Ukrainian strikes, oil supplies to Hungary are repeatedly cut off. This is against Hungary’s interest.

As Hungary’s Foreign Minister my mandate is clear: Hungary’s interest comes first. Period.

And let’s not forget: a significant part of Ukraine’s electricity comes from Hungary…”

Yes, you read it right: Ukraine disrupts the energy security of a country who sends electricity to make up for its destroyed infrastructure!

Keep reading

Giving Ukraine a US Security Guarantee Risks National Suicide

Too much of the talk about the recent Alaska summit meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin focuses on the wrong issue.  The key question is not whether an eventual peace accord ending the fighting in Ukraine will require Kyiv to accept Moscow’s continued possession of Crimea and at least a portion of Ukraine’s Donbas region.  Anyone with a modicum of realism understands that such territorial concessions are unavoidable if the bloody war of attrition is to end.  The real issue involves the demand of Ukraine and of its fan club in NATO that Kyiv be given “security guarantees” in exchange for accepting that reality.  Agreeing to such an open-ended commitment could ultimately prove fatal to the United States.

Trump has attempted to steer a middle course to accommodate the competing demands and extricate Washington from its entanglement in NATO’s dangerous proxy war using Ukraine as a weapon against Russia.  He has told Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky repeatedly that his country must at least make some territorial concessions – especially Crimea.  Trump also has indicated that Ukraine must give up its aspirations for official NATO membership.  However, he has been receptive to endorsing vaguely conceived security commitments to shield Ukraine from any further coercion by Russia.

Extending a U.S. security guarantee to Kyiv could take two forms – both of them bad from the standpoint of America’s genuine interests and well-being.  One version could consist of pledges from individual European NATO powers – especially major players such as Great Britain, France, Germany, Poland, and Turkey–as well as the United States to enforce a peace accord between Kyiv and Moscow.  Another equally dangerous option would be to establish an explicit pledge from NATO as an alliance to come to Ukraine’s defense if it is the victim of renewed aggression from Russia.  In essence, that move would make Ukraine a de facto NATO member, even though Kyiv apparently would not have the right accorded to formal members to vote on Alliance decisions.  Any version of a security guarantee also is almost certain to include a peacekeeping contingent to enforce a ceasefire or a full-blown peace agreement.  However, Russian leaders insist that such a deployment must never take place without Moscow’s explicit consent.

Unfortunately, the Western powers may seek to implement the scheme of deploying peacekeeping troops along with a robust NATO security guarantee to Kyiv in defiance of Moscow’s wishes.  NATO countries have already blurred and expanded the security pledge contained in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty to consider an attack on any Alliance member to be an attack on all members and to provide aid to the victim.  Since Russia’s expanded military operations in Ukraine began in February 2022, the United States and other key NATO nations have treated Ukraine as though it were already an integral part of the alliance.

Article 5 does not require a member to launch retaliatory military strikes against the aggressor or even to provide weaponry to the alliance signatory under siege.  Yet, the United States and other NATO countries have provided sophisticated weapons to Kyiv, including missiles and drones that it has used to strike targets deep inside Russia.  NATO intelligence operatives also have assisted Ukrainian forces to conduct offensive operations against Russian targets.  Finally, although the evidence is not definitive, the United States, Britain, Norway, and possibly Poland are prime suspects in the destruction of Russia’s Nord Stream natural gas pipeline. 

Keep reading

Ukrainian arrested in Italy over Nord Stream sabotage – German prosecutors

Italian police have arrested a Ukrainian man who it is claimed is suspected of involvement in the bombing of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, German prosecutors reported on Thursday.

The man, referred to only as Sergey K, was detained near Rimini on the basis of a European arrest warrant. German investigators believe he led a unit that blew up sections of the pipelines in September 2022.

The attacks, which ruptured both the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in the Baltic Sea, were, improbably, initially blamed on Russian operatives. But German prosecutors later traced a rented sailing yacht to the operation and linked it to Ukrainian nationals.

Investigators say Sergey K was part of a group that placed explosives on the pipelines near the island of Bornholm in September 2022. The accused was allegedly one of the coordinators of the operation. He and his accomplices are said to have used a sailing yacht that departed from the German city of Rostock. The vessel had previously been rented from a German company through intermediaries using forged identification documents. 

Keep reading

Ukraine has lost over 1.7 million troops – leaked docs

Ukraine has allegedly lost more than 1.7 million troops killed and missing, multiple media outlets reported on Wednesday, citing a leaked digital card index from the country’s armed forces.

Russian hacking groups were reportedly able to obtain the information by gaining access to the personal computers and local networks of the Ukrainian General Staff. The database is said to include the full names of deceased soldiers, descriptions of the circumstances and places of their death or disappearance, personal data, next of kin, and photos.

The entries suggest that since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Kiev’s forces have lost a total of 1,721,000 servicemen. 118.5 thousand were apparently killed in 2022, 405.4 thousand in 2023, 595 thousand in 2024 and a record 621 thousand in 2025.

Hackers from the groups Killnet, Palach Pro, User Sec and Beregini are said to have obtained terabytes of information about the Ukrainian military. Aside from personnel losses, the groups allegedly also possess the personal data of the command of the Special Operations Forces and the Main Intelligence Directorate, lists of all countries that have supplied weapons to Kiev and lists of all weapons transferred from 2022 to 2025.

This Ukrainian casualty estimate far exceeds losses previously reported by Kiev.

Keep reading