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Ukraine has made significant advances into Russian territory in recent days, reportedly capturing the village of Demidovka in Russia’s border region of Belgorod, with battlefield maps showing some of these gains.
Reports of the advances come shortly after a Ukrainian long-range HIMARS strike destroyed four Russian helicopters in the Belgorod region.
Newsweek has contacted Russia’s Foreign Ministry for comment by email.
Why It Matters
The reported advances come against the backdrop of talks pushed by President Donald Trump aimed at bringing an end to the war. The U.S. State Department said Monday that Russia and Ukraine are close to a complete ceasefire. Kyiv is likely looking to boost its negotiating hand as discussions are underway.
What To Know
On Monday, Russian military bloggers on Telegram reported that Ukrainian troops entered Demidovka village.
“The settlement is under the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces,” said military blogger Vladimir Romanov, known as Romanov Light on Telegram. He claimed the Russian forces holding the village “simply left it, as a result of which the enemy occupied” Demidovka. Newsweek has yet to verify these claims.
The Telegram channel Rybar, which is linked to the Russian Defense Ministry, reposted a message that said there is varying information on who is currently in control over the settlement, but Ukrainian troops are “definitely” in it.
Telegram user and military blogger RV Vonekor said Ukraine has been “demolishing houses” with attack drones and artillery for a whole week, “and it has become almost impossible to hold positions on the outskirts.”
Russian and Ukrainian authorities have yet to comment on the reported advances.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a U.S.-based think tank, assessed late on Monday that Ukrainian forces recently advanced in Demidovka amid ongoing Ukrainian attacks in the area, citing geolocated footage.
“Russian milbloggers acknowledged that Ukrainian forces advanced into southern Demidovka but denied that Ukrainian forces seized the settlement,” the think tank said.
The ISW noted that Ukrainian troops began limited attacks into the northwestern Belgorod region on March 18 and “have made marginal advances toward Grafovka (southeast of Demidovka) and Prilesye (south of Demidovka) over the last six days.”
What People Are Saying
State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters on Monday: “There is one thing we’re working on: that’s a ceasefire. I have nothing to say about what comes after a ceasefire, which has to be manifested in full, and we are close to that.
“This is what’s fascinating. We’ve never been closer, a breath away, from a full ceasefire, and then—full stop—then a discussion about an enduring peace. It’s doable. Humanity has done it in the past; we can do it again.”
What Happens Next
Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. are continuing to work toward a possible ceasefire in the war. On Monday in Saudi Arabia, Washington and Moscow officials discussed a possible proposal for a ceasefire at sea.
INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF WAR
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