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Ukraine faces a new test as Russia steps up its drive to seize Donetsk’s fortress belt
Russia controls 70% of Donetsk and aims to encircle Ukrainian forces by cutting supply lines instead of costly urban combat, intensifying pressure this fall.
- Russian forces intensified their campaign to seize Donetsk's fortress belt, including the key town of Lyman, as of September 2025.
- This push follows Russia's illegal annexation of Donetsk in 2022 and reflects a continued strategy to surround cities and cut supply lines rather than storm them directly.
- Russian troops use infiltration tactics and drones to weaken Ukrainian positions, while Ukraine endures troop shortages, chaotic management, and exhaustion under sustained pressure.
- Pavlo Yurchuk stated, "These are tactical successes, not strategic ones," and expressed confidence Russia's offensive will fail due to the difficulty of deep maneuvers and natural obstacles like the Siverskyi Donets River.
- Analysts caution that the conflict may persist for an extended period, potentially lasting years, with the loss of the fortress belt threatening large-scale civilian displacement and economic harm unless comprehensive military reforms are implemented.
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Zelenskyy to meet Trump as Russian troops advance towards Ukraine's 'fortress belt'
Despite intense lobbying by European leaders concerned with alleged airspace violations by Russian drones and aircraft, President Donald Trump is not expected to announce fresh sanctions.
·United Kingdom
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Ukraine Braces As Russia Steps Up Drive To Seize Donetsk's Fortress Belt
Russia now controls about 70% of the Donetsk region. Ukraine's forces have been pushed back to a string of four cities that analysts have dubbed its "fortress belt," where they've repelled Moscow's efforts to seize the region for years.
·New Delhi, India
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources18
Leaning Left8Leaning Right2Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 38%
12%
Factuality
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