Ongoing Clashes Between Russia and Ukraine

SadaNews - Ukraine witnessed continued clashes on the battlefronts on Sunday, as a railway worker was injured in the Voronezh region of Russia due to an attack by Ukrainian drones targeting a train station, while the Ukrainian army announced that it forced Russian forces to retreat by approximately two kilometers on the Sumy front in the north of the country.

Voronezh Governor Alexander Joseph explained that the attack led to the suspension of train services and damage to a power line, while the General Staff of the Ukrainian Army confirmed the continuation of military operations to liberate territories from Russian control, with intense clashes occurring near the towns of Oleksiyivka and Yunakivka.

In the Voronezh region of Russia, a technician at a railway station was injured as a result of the attack by Ukrainian drones on the station, which caused train services to be disrupted and a power line to be damaged, according to what Governor Alexander Joseph posted on Telegram.

On the Sumy front in northern Ukraine, Ukrainian forces continued their active combat operations to destroy Russian positions and regain occupied territories, according to a statement from the General Staff of the Ukrainian Army. The fighting intensified near the towns of Oleksiyivka and Yunakivka, at distances of 5 and 7 kilometers from the Russian border respectively.

No official comment has been issued by Russia, which controls approximately 200 square kilometers in the area according to the "Deep State" project for monitoring battlefields.

The military developments on the battle lines are gaining increased political significance, amid efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump to mediate an end to the war, as he announced that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to focus on reaching a quick agreement to end the ongoing conflict since 2022, instead of a temporary ceasefire.

Russian forces had advanced a few days ago by up to 10 kilometers near Dobropilia in eastern Ukraine, raising fears of a broader incursion that could threaten major cities, before the Ukrainian army later announced its ability to repel the attack and force Russian forces to retreat.

Politically, the leaders of France, Germany, and Britain are holding a video conference on Sunday with the "Alliance of the Willing" to discuss ways to advance towards a political solution to the conflict in Ukraine, after U.S. President Donald Trump ruled out an immediate ceasefire, emphasizing that he is focused on a comprehensive peace agreement following a summit in Alaska with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

These diplomatic moves come amid reports of Moscow's attempts to bolster its presence in eastern Ukraine and freeze fighting in some southern areas, while the Ukrainian president rejects any territorial concessions, asserting that his hands are tied by the constitution.

It is expected that the conference of European and Atlantic leaders will discuss the security guarantees that will be provided to Kyiv as part of any possible peace agreement, in an attempt to achieve political calm amidst ongoing military confrontations on the ground.

U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to receive Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House on Monday, who has so far rejected any territorial concessions, stating that his hands are tied by the Ukrainian constitution.

While the Ukrainian president expressed "gratitude for the invitation," he warned on Saturday evening that Moscow's refusal to ceasefire "complicates the situation."

Before Zelensky's trip to Washington, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will hold a video conference on Sunday at 1 PM GMT with the "Alliance of the Willing" that supports Kyiv, which includes most major European countries, the European Union, NATO, and other non-member countries such as Canada.

According to diplomats, the participants are expected to discuss the security guarantees that will be offered to Kyiv as part of a potential peace agreement.