Russia announced on Monday that it has taken control of the village of Levadne in southern Ukraine as part of its ongoing efforts to assess vulnerabilities along the war's extensive front line, which spans approximately 1,000 kilometers. The focus of Moscow's military operations currently lies in eastern regions, with the aim of making progress before the onset of winter.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities have reported a cessation of nighttime Shahed drone attacks on their territory for the first time in about six weeks. This pause follows a recent strike on a Shahed drone storage facility located in Russia's Krasnodar region, where approximately 400 drones were believed to be housed.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the capture of Levadne in the Zaporizhzhia region. The village had previously been taken by Russian forces early in the conflict but was later retaken by Ukrainian troops during a counteroffensive in the summer of 2023.
Ukrainian forces are facing significant challenges in resisting Russia's military advances, particularly in the eastern Donetsk region. The Ukrainian military lacks the manpower and weaponry required to launch its own offensive operations. While Russia's territorial gains have been gradual, the cumulative effect of its steady progress is evident as Ukrainian forces are forced to retreat.
Ukraine has emphasized the urgent need for increased Western assistance to bolster its defense against Russia's invasion. The annexation of four Ukrainian regions, including Zaporizhzhia, by Russia in September 2022 remains a contentious issue. Russian President Vladimir Putin has insisted on the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from these regions as a key precondition for any potential peace agreement, a demand that Ukraine and its Western allies have rejected.
Last week, the Ukrainian General Staff reported a successful strike on a Shahed drone warehouse located within Russia. This operation is expected to significantly diminish the capacity of Russian forces to target civilians in Ukrainian urban and rural areas.
Ukrainian officials are determined to demonstrate their resolve in resisting Russian aggression. A recent incursion into Russia's Kursk border region has seen Ukrainian troops operating on Russian soil for over two months. Additionally, Ukraine has deployed advanced long-range drones to conduct precision strikes on Russian targets, including airfields, oil refineries, and ammunition depots.
The Ukrainian Main Directorate of Intelligence announced on Monday that it had destroyed a Russian military transport aircraft, a Tu-134, at a military airfield in Russia's Orenburg region.
For the latest updates on the conflict in Ukraine, visit AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine.
