Russian forces have significantly escalated their attacks in eastern Ukraine, Kyiv’s military reported on Sunday, as a NATO official predicted Moscow would intensify its offensives ahead of upcoming negotiations to end the war.
According to Kyiv, the primary assaults have been focused around the strategically vital logistics hub of Pokrovsk. Meanwhile, U.S. and Russian officials are expected to hold talks in Saudi Arabia in the coming days, with U.S. President Donald Trump advocating for peace.
On Saturday, Ukraine’s military recorded 261 combat engagements with Russian forces over a 24-hour period—by far the highest number this year and more than double the roughly 100 per day reported in previous days.
“Today was the hardest day of 2025 at the front,” the Ukrainian DeepState military blog wrote late on Saturday.
Russian troops have been making steady advances in the east since the latter half of 2024, capturing village after village. However, the intensity of fighting had decreased in January this year, according to Ukrainian military data.
Moscow’s forces have taken control of a significant area south of Pokrovsk and are now advancing northward toward its southwest, posing a threat to a key supply route. The capture of Pokrovsk could provide Russia with additional avenues for attack.
Despite Ukraine being on the defensive, President Volodymyr Zelensky reported a “good result” in the east on Thursday, while a military spokesperson confirmed that Kyiv’s forces had recaptured the village of Pishchane, located approximately five kilometers south of Pokrovsk.
“It isn’t the result of something suddenly collapsing for the Russians or the arrival of some kind of magical weapon for Ukraine, no. Certain organizational actions were taken to help Ukrainians operate more effectively,” military spokesman Viktor Trehubov told Reuters.
‘STRONGER PUSH’
Ukraine has been utilizing drones for long-range strikes on Russian territory, aiming to weaken Moscow’s position. Meanwhile, Russia has continued conducting drone and missile strikes while advancing on the ground in the east.
“I would expect a much stronger push. I would expect that we would see … a lot of Russian efforts to advance,” a NATO official, who requested anonymity, told Reuters.
While Ukrainian officials have been cautious in their comments about Trump, his direct engagement with Russia—without prior consultation with Kyiv or involvement from European allies—has raised concerns in both Ukraine and Europe.
Kyiv stated that it was not invited to participate in the talks in Saudi Arabia and emphasized that it seeks to develop a joint strategy with the U.S. and European allies before engaging with Russian officials.
France announced on Sunday that it would host a summit of European leaders on Monday to discuss the Ukraine conflict and European security, as the continent reacts to Trump’s unilateral approach to the crisis.
Zelensky also provided figures on Russian aerial bomb and missile strikes, indicating a sharp increase over the past week.
According to him, Russia launched approximately 1,220 aerial bombs, over 850 drones, and 40 missiles at Ukraine, compared to 1,206 bombs, 750 drones, and 10 missiles the previous week.
