Russia pushes into Donetsk before Trump–Putin summit in Alaska
Russian forces have advanced up to 17 km in Donetsk ahead of the Trump–Putin summit, with Ukraine warning Moscow seeks leverage in possible peace talks.
Russian forces have made a sudden advance in eastern Ukraine near the coal-mining town of Dobropillia, in what Ukrainian officials say is a bid to gain leverage ahead of Friday’s Trump–Putin summit.
Trump has confirmed that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss a potential “land swap” as part of efforts to end the war in Ukraine during their summit in Alaska on Friday.
Ukraine’s DeepState war map showed on Tuesday that Russian troops had advanced at least 10 km north in two prongs in recent days, part of an effort to take full control of the Donetsk region. Some reports from analysts suggest the push has reached up to 17 km in depth.
At a White House press conference on Monday, Trump expressed frustration with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for insisting that any deal involving territorial concessions must be approved through a national referendum.
Russian forces make rapid gains near Dobropillia
The Russian Defense Ministry said its “Center” army grouping had improved positions along the frontline. DeepState reported advances near three villages linked to Kostyantynivka and Pokrovsk, describing the situation as “chaotic” as Russian units exploited gaps in Ukrainian defenses.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the advances but said Russian troops lacked heavy equipment and were vulnerable to counterattacks. “We will find and destroy the rest in the near future,” he said, accusing Moscow of trying to portray Ukraine as “losing” ahead of the summit.
Military analyst Pasi Paroinen of the Black Bird Group said Russian infiltration groups had reached the Dobropillia–Kramatorsk road (T0514) and were reported close to Dobropillia itself.
Push seen as leverage ahead of Trump–Putin talks
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to discuss a possible deal to end the war during their meeting in Alaska. Media reports claim Putin wants Ukraine to hand over the parts of Donetsk still under Kiev’s control.
Military analysts note Russia has previously launched offensives before negotiations to strengthen its bargaining position, notably in 2014 and 2015.
Former Kremlin adviser Sergei Markov said Ukraine’s shortage of troops had enabled the advance, calling it “a gift” to both Putin and Trump during talks. However, capturing the rest of Donetsk would still require taking heavily fortified cities such as Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkivka, and Kostyantynivka.
Some pro-Ukrainian analysts caution that Russia’s tactic of sending small, fast-moving groups may secure temporary gains without ensuring long-term control, making the overall impact uncertain.
Zelensky has rejected any deal involving ceding territory, saying peace must be “just.” Bohdan Krotevych, a lieutenant colonel in Ukraine’s National Guard and former Azov brigade chief of staff, warned the frontline near Dobropillia was “a complete mess” and required urgent reinforcement.
