Russia has announced the capture of three additional villages in Ukraine—Novomykolaivka and Pryvilne in the Zaporizhzhia region, and Yegorivka in Dnipropetrovsk—as it seeks to capitalize on its military advantage despite ongoing stalled peace efforts. Ukraine’s forces have reported increased Russian troop activity around the city of Pokrovsk, complicating the situation further. The conflict has seen Russia slowly advance over the past year, seizing approximately 6,000 square kilometers of territory, although the pace has been met with significant resistance. This development underscores the persistent volatility in the region and the challenges of achieving a diplomatic resolution, as recent talks have failed to yield tangible outcomes amidst a backdrop of renewed sanctions from the U.S. against Russian interests.