Russia’s Vladimir Putin says Moscow will seize all of Donbas by force unless Ukraine withdraws, as new attacks hit civilians and energy sites.
Putin Warns Russia May Seize All of Donbas by Force
Moscow’s Position Ahead of India Visit
Russian President Vladimir Putin signalled that Moscow is prepared to seize the remainder of eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region by force if Kyiv refuses to withdraw its troops. The remarks, released Thursday in an interview with India Today, come ahead of his visit to New Delhi and underline Russia’s unwavering demand for full control of Donetsk and Luhansk.
Territorial Stakes and Ongoing Conflict
The Donbas — comprising the Donetsk and Luhansk regions — has been at the centre of fighting since 2014 and the broader invasion launched in February 2022. Russia currently occupies all of Luhansk and over 80 per cent of Donetsk. Ukraine maintains control of roughly 5,000 square kilometres in Donetsk and has rejected any proposal requiring it to surrender territory taken by force.
Kyiv’s Firm Rejection of Moscow’s Terms
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly dismissed the idea of conceding land, arguing that rewarding aggression would legitimise Russia’s invasion. Ukrainian officials say Moscow has failed to capture the remaining Donbas areas militarily and has no claim to land internationally recognized as Ukrainian.
US Backchannel Talks Shape the Diplomatic Landscape
Putin also confirmed a recent meeting with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the Kremlin. He said Russia had accepted portions of U.S. proposals for a potential peace framework but would not reveal details, claiming doing so could “disrupt the working regime” of ongoing discussions. The proposals stem from preliminary conversations between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska in August, according to Russian media.
Divisions Among International Partners
European leaders, who have been largely excluded from these backchannel exchanges, warn that Putin may be feigning interest in negotiations. Moscow continues to insist that the United States informally recognize Russian control over the entirety of Donbas — a demand Washington has not publicly endorsed. In 2022, Russia declared Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia part of its territory after internationally condemned referendums.
Civilian Casualties Rise as Attacks Intensify
Even as diplomatic conversations continue, Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities escalated overnight. In Kryvyi Rih, a ballistic missile injured six people, including a three-year-old girl, and damaged dozens of homes and local infrastructure. In Kherson, a six-year-old girl died after succumbing to injuries from earlier shelling. Local authorities said medical teams “fought until the very end” to save her.
Ukraine’s Energy Grid Under Renewed Pressure
Russian overnight attacks also left tens of thousands without electricity and heat in southern and eastern Ukraine. Odesa’s regional energy operator reported that 51,800 households lost power after an energy facility was struck. Kherson suspended operations at a major heat and power plant after repeated shelling, leaving more than 40,000 residents without heating as winter sets in.
Drone Warfare Extends to Maritime Routes
Ukraine acknowledged responsibility for a drone attack last week on two empty tankers en route to a Russian port, describing the operation as part of its broader effort to disrupt Russia’s oil export routes. However, Kyiv denied any role in a separate incident involving a Russian tanker carrying sunflower oil. Turkey, maintaining ties with both nations, urged both sides to avoid targeting energy infrastructure.
Continued Violence in Occupied Territories
In the Russia-occupied portion of Kherson region, Moscow-installed leader Vladimir Saldo reported that two men were killed Thursday when a Ukrainian drone struck their vehicle. Both sides continue to rely heavily on drone operations as ground fighting remains intense along the front line.
