Russia Claims Capture of Artemovo in Ukraine

Russia has claimed to capture the town of Artemovo, or Zalizne, in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, marking a significant gain amid ongoing hostilities. The Russian Defense Ministry described this capture as a major advancement, with Artemovo being one of the largest population centers to fall under Russian control recently. In response, Ukrainian authorities have ordered the mandatory evacuation of families, particularly children, from Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub, due to the advancing Russian forces. Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops have recaptured the village of Apanasovka in the Kursk region, demonstrating their own advances despite the overall challenging situation. Concerns persist regarding the dwindling momentum of Western support for Ukraine, with recent reports indicating a reduction in newly committed aid amid ongoing conflict. The dynamics of military support are shifting, with particular emphasis on the contributions from smaller European nations relative to their GDPs.