Kyiv, Ukraine – As Ukraine prepares for crucial negotiations with the United States in Saudi Arabia, Russia has escalated its offensive with increased strikes on civilian targets and new battlefield gains, further pressuring Kyiv ahead of diplomatic efforts.
On March 8, Russian air strikes in eastern Ukraine resulted in the deaths of at least 50 people in the Donetsk region, including 11 fatalities in the city of Dobropillya, according to local officials. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, emphasizing the need for continued support in strengthening air defenses and increasing sanctions against Russia.
“These strikes show that Russia’s goals remain unchanged,” Zelenskyy stated on social media. “It is crucial to do everything necessary to protect lives, enhance our air defenses, and impose further sanctions on Russia.”
In addition to air strikes, Russia claimed it had recaptured three villages previously held by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region, raising concerns of a potential encirclement of Ukrainian troops. Though these reports remain unconfirmed, the situation has heightened tensions as Kyiv prepares for its diplomatic engagement in Saudi Arabia.
The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War noted that Russian forces have “intensified their multi-directional campaign to eliminate the remaining Ukrainian salient in Kursk” over the past two days. The Russian Defense Ministry also announced on March 9 that its forces had recaptured multiple villages and towns in the region.
According to DeepState, an open-source military tracker linked to the Ukrainian Army, Russian forces breached Ukrainian defense lines near the town of Sudzha. Although Sudzha remains under Kyiv’s control, it is facing increasing pressure from advancing Russian units.
These developments mark a significant challenge for Ukraine as it heads into negotiations with the United States, where discussions will focus on potential solutions to the ongoing war. With battlefield losses mounting, the upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia will be critical in determining Ukraine’s next steps in its efforts to resist Russian aggression.
