Russian advancement in Donetsk anticipated?
In Eastern Ukraine, the conflict in the Donetsk region continues to rage, with intense and highly contested fighting near Pokrovsk and surrounding settlements. According to reports, Russian forces have conducted long-range strikes, causing civilian casualties, and launched multiple attacks around Pokrovsk and neighbouring towns such as Rodynske, Krasnyi Lyman, and Molodetske. Despite these advances, Ukrainian forces have managed to repel some Russian advances, notably pushing back assaults in northeastern Krasnyi Lyman.
As of mid-August 2025, Russia controls about 70-75% of Donetsk Oblast, while Ukraine retains roughly 30%, including key cities that remain fiercely contested. The Donetsk and Luhansk regions (Donbas) have been central to the conflict for over a decade due to their historical, cultural, strategic, and economic importance. Russia aims to secure a land bridge to Crimea and control the region’s industrial resources, but Ukraine strongly opposes ceding any territory, viewing Donbas as a potential launchpad for further Russian offensives if lost.
Negotiations and diplomatic discussions continue, but they have not altered the on-ground realities or led to any ceasefire. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has rejected proposals that would require Ukraine to relinquish Donetsk territory, emphasizing the risk of future wars if any land were ceded under pressure.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, Russia is reportedly testing ways to shut down video and audio calls on popular messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. According to independent Russian media outlet Agentstvo, these tests have been met with service disruptions, with nearly 7,500 reports of Telegram issues and over 3,300 complaints about WhatsApp.
International responses to the ongoing conflict and alleged communications disruptions vary. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has rejected speculations about possible territorial concessions by Ukraine for peace with Russia, stating that "Violence must not shift borders." On the other hand, Hungary's government is refusing to sign a joint statement by the other 26 EU countries welcoming US President Donald Trump's efforts to end the Russian attack on Ukraine.
Elsewhere, the Ukrainian military has reportedly recaptured two villages in the border region of Sumy: Stepne and Nowokostjantyniwka. However, the Russian army denies reports of a Russian breakthrough on the frontline near the cities of Pokrovsk and Dobropillia in the Donetsk region.
The conflict's strategic stakes are not limited to Ukraine. The Kremlin propagandist and RT chief Margarita Simonyan has demanded that Alaska, a resource-rich US region, be "returned" to Russia, similar to the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Former German ambassador to Russia, Rüdiger von Fritsch, considers any territorial concession by Ukraine to Russia a "fatal surrender" of existing international law and criticizes the "appalling quality of current American diplomacy."
The ongoing conflict and alleged communications disruptions highlight the complex and evolving geopolitical landscape, underscoring the need for continued diplomatic efforts and adherence to international law.
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