On Saturday, September 27, 2025, Russia declared that its forces had seized three more villages in eastern Ukraine. This announcement comes as Russian troops continue their slow, grinding advance through Ukrainian defenses, enduring heavy costs in the ongoing battles.
These gains are the result of intense, street-by-street fighting across war-torn parts of eastern Ukraine, where entire areas lie devastated, with hardly any residents or structures left standing.
According to statements from Russia’s Ministry of Defense, Moscow’s military has expanded its control, capturing approximately 0.8% of Ukraine’s total land area since the start of the year.
Specifically, Russian forces reported taking control of Derylove and Maiske in the Donetsk region, along with the settlement of Stepove in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Meanwhile, Ukraine reported a devastating overnight Russian barrage in the southeastern Kherson region, which claimed one life and injured twelve people. The attacks also caused significant damage to railway infrastructure in the adjacent Odesa region.
Far from the front lines, an oil pumping station in Russia’s Chuvashia republic reportedly ceased operations following a Ukrainian drone strike, demonstrating Kyiv’s capability to hit strategic targets deep within Russian territory.
For months, Ukraine has consistently targeted Russian oil refineries, asserting these strikes are legitimate retaliation for Moscow’s relentless assaults and a critical effort to disrupt the energy revenues sustaining the Russian military.
As the conflict approaches its fourth year, diplomatic initiatives to achieve peace remain stalled. Adding to the complex geopolitical landscape, former U.S. President Donald Trump recently speculated that Ukraine might eventually reclaim all its occupied territories, even as Russia reaffirms its commitment to continuing its offensive.