What's happened
Heavy fighting continues in Ukraine's Donetsk region, with Russian forces controlling about 70%. Civilians face apocalyptic conditions, with ongoing evacuations amid constant attacks. Despite peace efforts led by Donald Trump, no breakthroughs have been achieved, and the situation deteriorates daily.
What's behind the headline?
The ongoing escalation in Ukraine underscores the brutal reality of a protracted conflict with no immediate resolution. Russian control of 70% of the territory and the relentless use of drones, artillery, and glide bombs indicate a strategy aimed at total domination and attrition. Civilians like Zaichikova exemplify the human toll, with many trapped in destroyed cities, clinging to hope amid chaos. The failure of peace efforts highlights the deepening geopolitical divide, with the US-led diplomatic attempts faltering against a backdrop of intensifying military operations. The situation suggests that unless significant diplomatic breakthroughs occur, the region will continue to face destruction, with civilian suffering worsening and evacuation becoming increasingly dangerous.
What the papers say
The Independent reports on the deteriorating conditions in Kostiantynivka, emphasizing the relentless attacks and the human stories of civilians trapped in the conflict zone. The article highlights the difficulty of evacuations and the worsening situation, with residents describing the city as 'black and destroyed.' Bloomberg provides context on the broader geopolitical landscape, noting the deepening ties between Russia and China, driven by shared opposition to US influence. The article explains how the war has accelerated the strategic partnership between these authoritarian states, with Russia turning to China for energy exports after Western sanctions. The contrasting focus of the sources illustrates both the human toll on the ground and the geopolitical shifts fueling the conflict's prolongation.
How we got here
The conflict in Ukraine has persisted for over three years since Russia's full-scale invasion. Russian forces now control a significant portion of the Donetsk region, leading to widespread destruction and displacement. Peace negotiations, primarily led by former US President Donald Trump, have so far failed to produce a resolution. The region's towns, larger than Slovenia, are largely abandoned, with only the elderly and vulnerable remaining in some cities under relentless attack.
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Kostiantynivka (Ukrainian: Костянтинівка, IPA: [kosʲtʲɐnˈtɪn⁽ʲ⁾iu̯kɐ] ; Russian: Константиновка, romanized: Konstantinovka) is an industrial city in Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine. It is situated on the Kryvyi Toret