Ukraine’s defenses in the Donetsk region are continuing to crumble. In the past week alone, the Russians have gained more land than at any point this year. “The gain of more than 200 square kilometers (77 square miles) adds to territory taken in a grinding summer offensive that’s involved huge losses of Russian troops and equipment,

Russia said on Tuesday it had taken two eastern Ukrainian towns and open-source data indicated that Moscow's forces were advancing at their fastest pace in at least a year amid signs the conflict is drawing in new players such as North Korea.

Meanwhile, a new investigation has revealed that Russia never intended to engage in genuine peace talks with Ukraine, the analysts’ report on Nov. 4 reads. Read also: Russian flag raised in Stepanivka village,