Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov announced on December 9, 2025, that forces have advanced along multiple fronts in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, claiming control over 30% of Myrnohrad's urban infrastructure. The town, located east of Pokrovsk, remains a focal point as Moscow seeks to consolidate gains in the Donbas region.
Kyiv's Defensive Stance
Ukrainian officials maintain their forces retain partial control of Pokrovsk and continue counteroperations in Myrnohrad. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated during a December 8 press conference: "Our defensive lines hold strong, exacting heavy costs for every meter gained by Russian forces."
Diplomatic Push Accelerates
U.S.-mediated negotiations gained urgency this week as Zelenskyy prepares to submit a revised 20-point peace proposal to Washington. The plan follows high-level discussions with European leaders and addresses previous objections to what Ukrainian officials called "anti-Ukrainian elements" in earlier drafts.
Global Stakeholder Dynamics
Recent Kremlin meetings between U.S. envoys and Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to produce breakthroughs, with Moscow citing improved battlefield positions as leverage. Meanwhile, the White House continues pressing Kyiv for rapid resolution, creating complex pressures for Ukrainian negotiators balancing military realities with constitutional obligations to preserve territorial integrity.
