Russian General Valery Gerasimov announced that over two weeks in February, despite the harsh winter conditions, combined forces successfully liberated twelve villages in Ukraine. This statement comes just days before U.S.-mediated peace talks are scheduled in Geneva, aimed at bringing an end to nearly four years of conflict. Independent verification of these claims by news agencies like AFP remains unavailable.

The pace of Russia's offensive in Ukraine has intensified since autumn, yet the Kremlin has not achieved its objective of seizing control over the Donetsk region during the four years of war. Moscow demands that Kyiv withdraw from Donetsk in exchange for any agreement to end the hostilities, which Ukraine finds unacceptable. This entrenched position further complicates the negotiations and reflects the ongoing deadlock in the conflict.

Additionally, Gerasimov mentioned that Russian forces are advancing towards Sloviansk, an industrial hub that was briefly under control of pro-Russian separatists in 2014 and has been frequently attacked by Russia. Currently, Russian troops are reported to be approximately 15 kilometers away from this strategic location, signaling their continued efforts to capture key territories in Eastern Ukraine, amidst the ongoing conflict and international scrutiny.