Zelenskyy once more denies the prospect of a territorial swap, suggesting it could serve as a "springboard" for further aggression
In the ongoing conflict in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, Russian forces have been engaged in intense offensive operations to capture the remaining Ukrainian-controlled areas. The latest developments indicate that Russia is focusing on seizing fortified and urban locations such as Toretsk, Chasiv Yar, and Pokrovsk.
Russian troops have been making slow progress, with Toretsk taking about 14 months to capture by August 1, 2025, advancing only about 6.4 miles [1]. Efforts to fully take Chasiv Yar are ongoing, with the Russian Ministry of Defense claiming control as of July 31, 2025, though independent observation has not confirmed full seizure [1].
To intensify offensives, Russia has redeployed tens of thousands of reinforcements eastward, with plans to transfer thousands of troops specifically to the Pokrovsk area [2][3]. Ukrainian intelligence confirms these expectations, anticipating that Russia aims to finalize control of key settlements like Kupyansk, Pokrovsk, Toretsk, and Chasiv Yar by late August or early September 2025 [2][3].
Russian tactics have shifted to persistent strikes to destroy defensive positions and force civilian evacuations before small reconnaissance groups infiltrate, followed by consolidation for larger attacks [3]. To strengthen its strategic foothold, Russia is converting occupied Donetsk territory into a large military base, improving infrastructure such as the derelict Donetsk International Airport as a logistics and drone launch hub [5].
Despite these efforts, Ukrainian forces have reportedly taken effective countermeasures to halt Russian advances around Pokrovsk and Dobropillia, with drone attacks targeting Russian logistical sites [2]. However, Russian forces currently control about 79% of Donetsk oblast, including major regional capitals [4].
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has compared the potential Russian offensive to the annexation of Crimea, stating it was a "springboard for an attack towards the south of our state" [6]. He has also suggested that conceding the Donetsk region could serve as a "springboard" for a new offensive by Russia [7]. Zelensky has also proposed that peace negotiations should be held in a trilateral format, involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States [8].
However, Zelensky has rejected the idea of a territorial exchange with Russia and has declared that Ukrainian troops will not withdraw from the Donetsk region [9]. He has also stated that if Ukrainian troops abandon the Donetsk region, it could serve as an "entry point for a new offensive" [10].
Elsewhere, the EU has claimed Ukraine's role in negotiations and has warned Russia in a message, but without Hungary [11]. There have been no specific details about the financing of a highway corridor in Colombia provided in the paragraph [12].
In other news, a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump is scheduled for this Friday in Alaska [13]. The meeting could allow Moscow to postpone sanctions if no agreement is reached to stop the fighting in Ukraine [14].
In the world of sports, Athletic and Villarreal are leading a very open fight for Europe, while the Liga candidacy of Atlético de Madrid involves nourishing Julián Álvarez [15]. Sheila Casas has found refuge in her friends after Álvaro Muñoz Escassi's statements [16].
Iran has criticized a deadly attack by Israel against journalists in Gaza, calling it "the panic of a regime that is going downhill" [17]. No other events or developments in the paragraph were relevant to extract as standalone facts.
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