Russia takes control of three Ukrainian villages across multiple regions
It named the three settlements as Kamianske in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, Dehtiarne in the eastern Kharkiv region, and Popiv Yar in the eastern Donetsk region.
Moscow says it has incorporated the Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions into Russia, a move that Kyiv and most Western countries reject as illegal.
Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield report.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Leaders
3 hours ago
- Leaders
Syria, Israel Agree on Ceasefire amid Sweida Clashes: US Envoy
Syria and Israel have reached a ceasefire agreement, according to an announcement by the US Special Envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack. This followed days of fierce clashes between armed groups, Bedouins and government forces in the southern Druze-majority province of Sweida, which prompted Israel to intervene under the pretext of protecting the Druze community. Ceasefire Announcement Early on Saturday, Barrack, who is also the US Ambassador to Türkiye, announced a new agreement between the Syrian government and Israel, although he did not share the agreement's details. 'Israeli Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, supported by the USA State Secretary Marco Rubio, have agreed to a ceasefire embraced by Türkiye, Jordan and its neighbors,' he said in a statement on X. 'We call upon Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to put down their weapons and together with other minorities build a new and united Syrian identity in peace and prosperity with its neighbors,' the statement added. However, there has been no official confirmation from Syria or Israel on the announced ceasefire agreement. Sweida Clashes On Sunday, clashes broke out between Druze armed groups and local Bedouin tribes in Sweida province. The Syrian government sent forces to restore order, but they were engaged in fighting with the Druze armed groups. Syrian government forces After two days of brutal fighting, the Syrian government announced a ceasefire agreement with the Druze on Tuesday. But it shortly broke down as both sides accused each other of violating the agreement. Israeli Intervention In response to the ongoing clashes, Israel intervened under the pretext of shielding the Druze community, which constitutes a loyal minority in Israel and often serves in its military. On Tuesday, Israel launched airstrikes against Syrian government troops and convoys. It also struck the Syrian Defense Ministry headquarters and near the presidential palace in the heart of Damascus on Wednesday. Furthermore, Israel warned the Syrian government to withdraw its troops from Sweida or face a tougher response. 'The (Israeli military) will continue to attack regime forces until they withdraw from the area — and will also soon raise the bar of responses against the regime if the message is not understood,' the Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, said. Attempts to Restore Calm Clashes in Sweida killed hundreds of people and displaced tens of thousands. The Syrian Network for Human Rights put the number of deaths at 321 since Sunday, including medical staff, women and children, according to Reuters. On Wednesday, the Syrian government announced a new ceasefire agreement with the Druze leaders to quell the fighting and restore calm. Under the ceasefire agreement, the government forces would withdraw and the Druze leaders were to manage Sweida's internal security. Moreover, the truce's terms included the immediate cessation of all military operations in Sweida and the formation of a monitoring committee of government representatives and Druze leaders to oversee the ceasefire implementation, according to SANA. The terms also involved the agreement on a mechanism to regulate heavy weapons, in cooperation with the Ministries of Interior and Defense, and the full integration of Sweida province into the Syrian State. Renewed Clashes Despite Al-Sharaa's pledge to protect the Druze, prioritizing the interests of the Syrian people over clashes and destruction, clashes renewed by late Thursday between the Druze and Bedouin groups in Sweida. Bedouin fighters Following media reports of Druze attacks against Bedouin communities in Sweida, the Bedouin tribes mobilized their supporters from across Syria to join the fighting on Friday, further escalating the situation. This led Syria's Transition President to announce on Friday sending a 'specialized force to break up clashes and resolve the conflict on the ground,' but the deployment was delayed, according to the Associated Press (AP). Saudi Support for Syria's Stability Saudi Arabia is closely monitoring the developments in Syria, spearheading efforts to support the country's stability and security. The Kingdom has also reiterated its steadfast support for Syria, rejecting any action that undermines its civil or social peace. In the light of this, Riyadh expressed its confidence in the Syrian government measures to maintain security, stability and civil peace; preserve Syria's sovereignty and security; and meet the aspirations of the Syrian people. Moreover, Saudi Arabia strongly condemned Israel's blatant aggressions on the Syrian territories and interference in its internal affairs under any pretext. The Kingdom also led extensive diplomatic discussions with the foreign ministers of Arab countries, Türkiye and the US on the situation in Syria, aiming to form a unified position to support the Syrian government in rebuilding a unified, stable and secure Syria. As a result, the top diplomats of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Jordan, Bahrain, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Türkiye issued a joint statement stressing their unwavering support for Syria and their categorical rejection of all forms of foreign intervention in its internal affairs. They also called on the international community to support the Syrian government in the reconstruction process, urging the UN Security Council to ensure the full withdrawal of Israel from occupied Syrian territories and halt all Israeli hostilities against Syria. Short link : Post Views: 7


Leaders
17 hours ago
- Leaders
Israel Urges UN to Abolish Investigation Commission for Palestinian Territories
Israel has urged the UN Human Rights Council to abolish the commission of inquiry into human rights violations in the Palestinian territories and Israel, according to Reuters. Israel also accused the council of bias and discrimination. In the message sent on Wednesday, Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Daniel Meron, said The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, discriminated against his country. 'The Commission of Inquiry, both in its mandate and in the work of its members, constitutes nothing less than a manifestation of the institutional discrimination against Israel in the Human Rights Council,' read the letter. Israel has repeatedly criticized findings by the UN-mandated commission, that has denounced the Israeli military's actions since it has launched its military campaign in Gaza in October 2023. Council spokesperson Pascal Sim said that Council President Jurg Lauber had already received the letter, but it would be up to the Council's 47 members to abolish the commission. In March, the commission concluded that Israel had carried out 'genocidal acts' against Palestinians during its war in Gaza. Since the beginning of Hamas-Israel War in Gaza in 2023, the Israeli strikes have killed more than 57,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 137,000, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Related Topics: Israel to Increase Defense Spending amid Ongoing Deadly War in Gaza ICC Declines Israel's Bid to Halt Netanyahu Arrest Warrant Israel Strikes Damascus as Clashes Rage in Sweida Short link : Post Views: 5


Leaders
17 hours ago
- Leaders
Slovenia Announces 2 Israeli Ministers Persona Non Grata
Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said that her country declared two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, persona non grata, according to Reuters. Slovenia becomes the first European Union country to take such a decisive step in response to Israeli military operations in Gaza since October 2023 and their mounting violence against Palestinians. The Slovenian government has accused both ministers of making 'genocidal statements' and inciting violence against Palestinians. 'Today, the government adopted one of the first national measures, which is to declare two Israeli ministers… unwanted in the Republic of Slovenia,' Fajon told a news conference. Meanwhile, the Israeli government which has repeatedly rejected accusations of genocide in Gaza, has not issued any response. Crucially, this significant step comes after EU Foreign Ministers' failure to agree on joint action against Israel over charges of human rights violations at a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday. 'This kind of measure is the first of its kind in the European Union. We are breaking new ground,' she said. Slovenia's government issued a statement saying both Ben-Gvir and Smotrich 'publicly advocate the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, the forced evictions of Palestinians, and call for violence against the civilian Palestinian population'. Mounting Pressure in West Bank This decision comes at a crucial time as violence against Palestinians in the West Bank is growing with increasing number of killings and attacks by settlers and security forces. Israeli settlers' violence against Palestinians has sparked anger and frustration towards the US as Palestinians mourned the death of two men, one of them a Palestinian American, killed by settlers. Approximately 1 million Israeli settlers live in illegal settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in violation of international law. OHCHR noted that settlers have launched 757 attacks on Palestinians or their properties since January 2025. In May, Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Israel planned to build a 'Jewish Israeli state' in the occupied West Bank, according to Al-Arabiya. Katz's remarks followed Israel's announcement of the creation of 22 new settlements in the West Bank. He also noted that the new settlements would be a clear message to French President Emmanuel Macron and his associates: they will recognize a Palestinian state on paper – but Israel will build the Jewish Israeli state here on the ground. Related Topics: UN Rights Office Reports Increasing Settler Attacks in Occupied West Bank Likud Ministers Urge Netanyahu to Annex West Bank Palestinian Bedouins Flee West Bank out of Settler Violence Short link : Post Views: 10