Russia says its forces advance in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region

Servicemen of the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces explore a Javelin missile system near a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine November 15, 2025. Andriy Andriyenko/Press Service of the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces/Handout via REUTERS

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia said on Sunday its forces had moved forward sharply in Ukraine's southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, taking two settlements as part of a major push aimed at taking control of the entire Zaporizhzhia region.

With a smaller army than Russia's, Ukraine has been grappling with how to bolster defences in the Donetsk region while keeping the rest of the front stable under intense artillery and drone attack from highly mobile Russian units.