Russian Army Advances in Northeast Ukraine by Capturing Two More Villages

As Russian forces continue their advance in northeastern Ukraine, Moscow announced that its army has captured two more villages. According to a statement from the Russian army, the villages of Ivanivka in the Kharkiv region and Nataliivka in Donetsk have been seized by Russian forces. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Army announced on Sunday evening that its forces managed to repel an attack near the village of Ivanivka, in the eastern area of the town of Kupiansk. The agency also stated on Monday afternoon that Ukrainian forces thwarted seven attempts by the Russian army to advance in the Kupiansk sector. The General Staff added that Russian forces have only achieved 'minor success' in one of the areas of the Kupiansk sector, and Ukrainian forces are 'consolidating their positions and preventing enemy advances.' In recent days, Russia has significantly increased its attacks on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, as well as the Donetsk region. Russian officials say their army is trying to create a buffer zone between occupied areas and Ukraine by attacking northeastern Ukraine. With the occupation of parts of Kharkiv this month, Russia has made its largest territorial advance in Ukraine in the past 18 months.