Russia and Ukraine are both claiming progress on the battlefield as their four-year war continues, while diplomatic efforts led by the United States to broker negotiations remain on hold.
Ukrainian officials say their forces have pushed Russian troops back in parts of the front line, while Moscow insists its invasion is advancing successfully. The competing claims come amid intensified fighting and continued Russian aerial attacks across Ukraine.
According to Ukrainian authorities, three powerful glide bombs struck the center of Sloviansk in eastern Ukraine, killing four people and injuring at least 16 others, including a 14-year-old girl. Overnight drone strikes on three additional cities also wounded at least 17 people, among them two children.
Ukraine’s air force reported that it intercepted 122 of the 137 drones launched by Russia overnight.
Meanwhile, diplomatic talks aimed at ending the conflict have been paused as Washington’s attention shifts to the escalating war with Iran. The Middle East crisis has drawn international focus away from Ukraine’s ongoing battle against Russia’s larger military.
Ukrainian commanders say recent counteroffensives have regained nearly all territory in parts of the southeastern Dnipropetrovsk industrial region. Maj. Gen. Oleksandr Komarenko said Ukrainian forces have pushed Russian troops out of more than 400 square kilometres during recent operations.
Despite the gains, Ukrainian officials say the overall situation remains difficult, with the heaviest fighting continuing near Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine and Oleksandrivka in the south.
The Washington-based think tank Institute for the Study of War said recent Ukrainian counterattacks could disrupt Russia’s planned spring–summer offensive campaign.
Russia, however, maintains it is making steady progress. A Kremlin aide said Russian President Vladimir Putin told U.S. President Donald Trump that Russian forces are “advancing rather successfully” and suggested Ukraine should move toward negotiations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for a lasting peace agreement, while European governments accuse Moscow of signaling openness to talks while continuing large-scale military operations.
Russia is also expected to benefit economically from the broader geopolitical situation. Analysts say the Iran war could drive up global oil prices, potentially boosting Russian revenues while shifting international attention away from the war in Ukraine.
At the same time, Kyiv is seeking to strengthen its diplomatic position by offering its advanced drone technology — developed during the war — to the United States and Gulf partners involved in Middle East operations.
In return, Zelenskyy hopes to secure additional Western military support, including advanced air-defense systems needed to protect Ukrainian cities from continued Russian missile and drone strikes.
