Russia announced on Saturday that its troops have recaptured three villages in Ukraine’s Kursk border region. This setback for Kyiv comes ahead of crucial negotiations aimed at ending the war.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that a high-level delegation, including key ministers, will meet US officials in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to repair ties with President Donald Trump’s administration.
“We hope to discuss and agree on the necessary decisions and steps,” Zelenskyy said, emphasizing Ukraine’s commitment to a “constructive dialogue.”
However, he condemned Russia’s “brutal” strikes on eastern Ukraine, stating they prove Moscow is “not thinking about how to end the war.”
Trump Warns Russia of Fresh Penalties
On Friday, President Trump warned Russia of additional penalties and tariffs for its continued military actions in Ukraine.
The ongoing conflict, now in its third year, has reached a critical point for Kyiv, especially after Trump suspended US military aid following a public disagreement with Zelenskyy last week.
Despite recent Russian advances, Ukraine still holds approximately 400 square kilometers (150 square miles) of the Kursk region since launching an operation in August. Zelenskyy sees this as a possible leverage point in future peace talks.
Ukraine’s Position Weakens in Kursk
Ukrainian forces in Kursk have been struggling in recent weeks as Russian troops continue to push back.
On Saturday, Russia’s defense ministry announced the recapture of three villages: Viktorovka, Nikolayevka, and Staraya Sorochina.
According to DeepState, a military tracking platform linked to Ukraine’s army, the Russian advance followed a “breach” in Ukrainian defense lines near Sudzha, a town still under Kyiv’s control.
This push may have cut off a critical supply route for Ukrainian forces, though Kyiv has not officially confirmed this.
Russia has already reclaimed more than two-thirds of the territory Ukraine initially captured in Kursk.
Ukraine Fights Back Amid Russian Attacks
Ukraine’s General Staff reported ongoing battles as Russian artillery and guided aerial bombs heavily targeted its forces.
Small Russian units have also attempted incursions into Ukraine’s Sumy region, which borders Kursk. However, Ukraine’s Centre for Countering Disinformation dismissed reports of a “massive breakthrough,” stating that its troops are successfully repelling small-scale Russian assaults.
US-Ukraine Talks in Saudi Arabia
Full-scale peace negotiations remain uncertain, with Kyiv and Moscow holding starkly different positions. Trump has prioritized ending the war but has raised concerns in Ukraine and Europe by engaging with Russian President Vladimir Putin while criticizing Zelenskyy.
Senior US and Ukrainian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for discussions on the war. Zelenskyy will also visit the country on Monday for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
US envoy Steve Witkoff stated on Thursday that Washington aims to discuss an “initial ceasefire” with Russia and lay the foundation for a broader agreement.
Ukraine’s delegation will include Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. Zelenskyy expressed confidence in the upcoming meeting, telling Ukrainians he believes it “will be productive.”
Zelenskyy Urges Stronger Sanctions Against Russia
Following heavy overnight shelling in eastern and northeastern Ukraine, Zelenskyy called on international allies to increase sanctions against Russia.
A Russian missile strike on Dobropillia in Donetsk late Friday killed 11 people and wounded 40 others, emergency services reported.
“Russia is proving literally every day with its cruelty that nothing has changed for them,” Zelenskyy said. He warned that Moscow’s goal remains to “destroy and capture more as long as the world allows them to wage this war.”
On Saturday, Russian strikes on Pokrovsk killed one person and injured two others, according to Donetsk Governor Vadym Filashkin.
Further drone attacks in Kharkiv claimed four lives, while a separate attack in Kherson killed a 74-year-old man, local officials confirmed.
Global Reactions and Military Support for Ukraine
The latest attacks drew strong condemnation from European leaders.
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, wrote on X: “Once again, Putin shows he has no interest in peace.”
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk criticized efforts to appease Russia, stating: “This is what happens when someone appeases barbarians. More bombs, more aggression, more victims.”
France pledged further military aid to Ukraine, with Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirming that €195 million ($212 million) from frozen Russian assets will be used to provide additional weapons.
This includes funding for Mirage 2000 fighter jets delivered by France in February.
Scenes of Destruction in Ukraine
In Dobropillia, AFP reporters witnessed widespread destruction—charred residential buildings, flattened market stalls, and evidence of cluster bomb damage.
Irina Kostenko, 59, described the devastation:
“It was shocking, I don’t have the words to describe it.”
She recalled seeing a neighbor “lying dead on the ground, covered with a blanket” after surviving the night in her hallway with her husband.
As the conflict escalates, Ukraine remains focused on securing international support and pushing back against Russia’s advances.
