Kremlin upbeat as Russia reports further gains

MOSCOW/KYIV — The Kremlin said on Wednesday that the battlefield dynamic for Russian forces in eastern Ukraine was positive, as Russia said it had captured two more villages and its forces appeared to be closing in on a longtime Ukrainian stronghold.

Russian forces in eastern Ukraine advanced at their fastest rate in two years in August.

Asked about reports that Russian forces had encircled Vuhledar, a fortified mining town that has anchored Ukrainian defenses in the Donetsk region since 2022, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "The dynamic is positive."

Separately, Russia's Defense Ministry said in its daily briefing that its forces had taken two small Donetsk region villages, Hostre and Hryhorivka. Reuters could not independently confirm battlefield reports.

Earlier on Wednesday, state news agency RIA cited the head of the Donetsk region, Denis Pushilin, as saying that fighting was ongoing inside Vuhledar, which had a population of 14,000 before the military operation.

Ukraine's military on Tuesday made no reference to Russian gains around Vuhledar but acknowledged there was fighting in the area. Russian military bloggers and state media said Moscow's forces had begun storming the town.

The Ukrainian air force said on Wednesday it shot down 28 out of 32 drones and four out of eight missiles during an overnight Russian attack.

The air force said Russia launched four missiles at the southern region of Odesa. Its regional governor, Oleh Kiper, said a missile hit an open area and caused a fire which had since been put out.

Pushilin also confirmed that Russian forces had captured the town of Ukrainsk, about 50 kilometers north of Vuhledar, which Russian military bloggers said was taken last week.

Earlier on Wednesday, Russia said that a plan by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to force it to make peace was a "fatal mistake "that would have consequences for Kyiv.

Zelensky told the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday that the fighting between Russia and Ukraine could not be calmed by talks alone and that Moscow must be forced into peace.

In a call with reporters, Peskov said: "Such a position is a fatal mistake, a systemic mistake. This is a profound misconception that will inevitably have consequences for the Kyiv regime".

Peskov said that Russia wants peace, but the issue cannot be forced, adding: "A position based on an attempt to force Russia into peace is an absolutely fatal mistake, because it is impossible to force Russia into peace."

He said: "Russia is a supporter of peace, but on the condition that the foundations of its security are ensured."

Agencies Via Xinhua