Russia Advances in Eastern Ukraine as Trump Prepares to Reassess U.S. Role in War

Russian forces claim new territorial gains while Ukraine warns incoming Trump administration against premature peace talks with Putin.

Russian forces announced the capture of two settlements in Ukraine's Donetsk region, though Ukrainian officials dispute claims of significant breakthroughs.
Ukraine's air defenses intercepted 43 out of 61 drones in an overnight attack, with six civilians killed across Kyiv and southern regions.
As Donald Trump prepares to retake the U.S. presidency, Kyiv officials caution against peace talks that could leave Russian-occupied territories under Moscow's control.
Ukrainian military leaders report record Russian casualties in 2024, with 150,000 deaths contributing to a total of 434,000 losses since the war began.
Residents and soldiers in frontline regions express exhaustion from the prolonged conflict, with some hoping for a diplomatic resolution despite fears of territorial concessions.