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Putin Orders Expansion of Buffer Zone in Ukraine for 2026
Russian forces claim control of about 950 square kilometers in northeastern Ukraine as Putin directs expansion of the buffer zone in Sumy and Kharkiv regions in 2026.
- Dec 31- President Vladimir Putin ordered expansion of a buffer zone in Ukraine in 2026, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov said, according to Russian news agencies RIA and Reuters.
- Putin ordered continued operations toward Zaporizhzhia, pressing efforts to capture the city while the Kremlin directed continued efforts to establish a security zone.
- Gerasimov inspected the 'North' troop grouping and held a meeting at a command post, Reuters and RIA reported; the group, formed in early 2024, aims to create a buffer and push Ukrainian units back.
- Kyiv rejected Moscow's buffer proposal, saying it justifies deeper incursions, and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called the plans `mad`, pledging Ukrainian resistance.
- Shortly after an alleged attempt on Putin's residence, Gerasimov's remarks followed Russia's vow to retaliate despite no evidence, while Kyiv denied the claim as an effort to derail peace talks nearing their fourth year.
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![RIA Novosti [🇷🇺-affiliated]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgroundnews.b-cdn.net%2Finterests%2F2a0109015009cf4c268971a719f58598126b4051.jpg%3Fwidth%3D24&w=64&q=75){kind=small}
The North group took control of about 950 square kilometres in the Sum and Kharkiv regions, released 32 localities, claimed the Chief... RIA News, 31.12.2025
·Russian Federation
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources49
Leaning Left7Leaning Right12Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution52% Right
Bias Distribution
- 52% of the sources lean Right
52% Right
L 31%
C 17%
R 52%
![RIA Novosti [🇷🇺-affiliated]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgroundnews.b-cdn.net%2Finterests%2F2a0109015009cf4c268971a719f58598126b4051.jpg%3Fwidth%3D60&w=128&q=75)
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