Russia Advances in Eastern Ukraine as US Peace Plan Faces Allied Resistance
Russian forces have reported fresh territorial gains in eastern Ukraine, intensifying military pressure as a controversial US-proposed peace plan encounters significant resistance from Kyiv’s European allies.
Battlefield Developments
The Russian Ministry of Defence announced on Saturday the capture of Zvanivka in the Donetsk region’s Bakhmut area, claiming to have inflicted substantial losses on Ukrainian defenders. This represents the latest in a series of incremental advances Russian forces have made in the industrial east.
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Moscow also released combat footage showing air and drone attacks on Ukrainian positions in the Zaporizhia region, where Russian units are advancing toward the strategic town of Huliaipole. The ministry claimed control over the Novoe Zaporozhye area, including what it described as a major defensive position covering approximately 14 square kilometers.
Ukrainian forces face particularly intense attacks in the Pokrovsk sector, where Russian military command has reportedly redeployed units to strengthen offensive operations. Regional authorities reported at least one civilian death and thirteen injuries from Russian strikes over the past day.
Air War Intensifies
Ukraine’s air force stated that Russian troops launched one Iskander-M ballistic missile from occupied Crimea and 104 drones overnight, with Ukrainian defenses intercepting 89 of the unmanned aircraft. Most drones were of Iranian design, reflecting Moscow’s continued reliance on foreign military technology.
EU pushes back against US plan
Ukrainian media reported drone strikes targeting the Yany Kapu electrical substation in northern Crimea, though Russian authorities acknowledged only shooting down six Ukrainian drones without confirming damage to infrastructure. The attacks come as Russia continues its campaign against Ukraine’s energy grid ahead of winter.
Diplomatic Tensions Mount
The battlefield developments unfold against a backdrop of diplomatic friction, with Western leaders gathered at the G20 summit in South Africa expressing serious reservations about the US-proposed 28-point peace plan. The plan, advanced by the Trump administration without prior consultation with allies, heavily leans toward Kremlin demands and sets a Thursday deadline for acceptance.
“We are clear on the principle that borders must not be changed by force,” stated leaders from key European nations, Canada, and Japan in a joint declaration. They expressed particular concern about “proposed limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized that Russia’s war “could only be ended with Ukraine’s unconditional consent,” adding that “wars cannot be ended by major powers over the heads of the countries affected.”
Negotiations Proceed Amid Skepticism
Despite reservations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has approved a delegation to discuss the US proposal with American counterparts in Switzerland, appointing top aide Andriy Yermak to lead the talks. Ukraine’s Security Council secretary, Rustem Umerov, confirmed consultations would begin over “possible parameters” of a future deal while asserting Ukraine would approach the process “with a clear understanding of its interests.”
The diplomatic maneuvering occurs as Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov indicated he wouldn’t rule out another meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. Putin has endorsed the US proposal and appears increasingly confident in Russia’s military and diplomatic position, having refused to participate in summits that include Zelenskyy.
The converging military and diplomatic pressures create a critical juncture in the conflict, with Ukraine facing simultaneous challenges on the battlefield and in negotiation rooms as Western unity shows signs of strain.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/22/russia-claims-more-land-in-ukraine-as-us-pushes-its-plan-eu-uk-regroup?traffic_source=rss