Fate of Donbas hangs in balance as Russian troops push forward, while Ukrainian defenses hold in Kursk Video: Meduza breaks down the latest battlefield developments

In the first weeks of 2025, the Russian army has pressed on with its offensive in Ukraineʼs Donbas. Russian troops are close to encircling Pokrovsk from two directions, advancing on Toretsk, and have entered the center of Chasiv Yar. Theyʼve also established a foothold on the western bank of the Oskil River. Only in the Kursk region have the Ukrainian Armed Forces continued to hold key defensive positions. In the video below, we break down the latest developments on the front lines and consider a critical question: can Russia seize the entire Donbas region at its current pace?

This is a video version of our weekly report on the combat situation in Ukraine and Russia. Weʼve been publishing these updates since the start of the full-scale war.