Putin says Russian forces advancing in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting on the situation in Ukraine, during which he said Russian forces were making progress on several fronts, according to statements released by the Kremlin.

During the meeting in Moscow, Putin said troops from Russia’s “East” military group had broken through Ukrainian defensive positions and were advancing towards the city of Zaporizhzhia, a major regional center in southern Ukraine.

Zaporizhzhia remains under Ukrainian control, although Russia occupies parts of the surrounding region.

Putin also said forces from the “Centre” group were continuing their advance towardsUkraine's Donetsk region.

He linked this progress to what Moscow describes as the capture of the towns of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad.

Ukrainian officials have not confirmed the loss of the towns.

According to the Kremlin, the meeting focused not only on current fighting but also on longer-term security planning. Putin instructed officials to continue work in 2026 on establishing what Russia calls a “security buffer zone” in Ukraine’s Sumy and Kharkiv regions, which border Russia.

Moscow has previously said such buffer zones are intended to prevent attacks on Russian territory, while Ukraine has rejected the idea, saying it amounts to an attempt to seize more land.

Putin also ordered what the Kremlin described as decisive measures to prevent Ukrainian forces from advancing toward the city of Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region.

Kupiansk was a key logistics hub during the war and has seen repeated clashes as control of the area has shifted over time.

The meeting comes as Russia accused Ukraine on Monday of trying to attack Putin’s residence and vowed retaliation. Ukraine has dismissed this and claims it’s an attempt to undermine peace talks.

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