Kyiv, February 18, 2025: Russian forces have sharply escalated their offensive in eastern Ukraine, with Kyiv’s military reporting the heaviest fighting of the year. Over a 24-hour period on Saturday, Ukrainian troops faced 261 combat engagements, the highest recorded in 2025.
The primary focus of Russia’s assault has been near Pokrovsk, a critical logistics hub for Ukrainian forces. The intensified attacks come as a NATO official predicted that Moscow would further increase the scale and intensity of its offensives, especially with diplomatic talks on ending the war drawing closer.
Ukraine’s military has been reinforcing defensive lines and repelling continuous Russian advances. The latest surge in combat raises concerns about Moscow’s strategy and the potential impact on future negotiations.
