World Affairs International

Russian forces have continued their assault on Sievierodonetsk, and constant urban fighting has kept details unclear. Though control of Sievierodonetsk can be estimated by collating Ukrainian and Russian sources, street-level maps and claims should be taken with caution. The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence assessed that Ukraine’s counteroffensives had liberated some parts of Sieverodonetsk and that Russia’s advance from Popasna had once again stalled. There is a possibility for a renewed offensive from Izyum due to heavy shelling in the area.

Russian troops in Zaporizhzhia have been repositioning, potentially for a renewed offensive in the region or as a response to partisan warfare reported in the area.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has arrived in Turkey for talks regarding the unblocking of Ukraine’s ports. Though Lithuania’s proposed multinational coalition has likely been abandoned, there is a possibility that the ships of certain navies, like Turkey, could play a role in escorting Ukrainian ships carrying grain out of the Black Sea.