Ukrainian forces have regained ground from their adversaries in recent days in the Kharkiv sector, in the north of the country. But they are forced to concede villages to the east, in the Donetsk region.
In southern Ukraine, authorities believe that the fortifications around the city of Zaporizhia are almost complete. kyiv is preparing for a possible Russian offensive in this region.
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Ukrainians advance near Kharkiv, but retreat to the east
According to the American think tank The Institute for the Study of War, Ukrainian forces recently regained control of lost positions north of Kharkiv, the country's second largest city. Images geotagged by the institute show that the Ukrainian army is regaining ground southeast of the village of Hlyboke.
On the other hand, in the Donetsk region, Russian forces continue to advance. The village of Yurivka notably fell according to the Institute for the Study of War. Images dating from November 30 also show Russian advances near the village of Stari Terny, in an area where the Ukrainian army claimed to be leading a counter-offensive.
Ukrainian army fortifies the city of Zaporizhia
In anticipation of a possible Russian offensive in the Zaporizhia sector in the south of the country, Ukraine has almost completed the construction of fortifications, according to a statement by the region's governor Ivan Fedorov, cited by The Kyiv Independent.
“The multi-level defense of Zaporizhzhia and neighboring settlements is almost complete,” said the local official on the social network Telegram. According to him, the design of the fortifications was “significantly improved” compared to previous versions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared on November 25 that the Ukrainian army was following the movements of Russian troops in southern Ukraine and that it had observed “existing threats”, reminds The Kyiv Independent.
In Moscow, police offensive against LGBT places
Moscow police raided several party venues on Saturday and arrested the director of a travel agency catering to gay male clients, under laws criminalizing «LGBT propaganda», Russian state media reported.
These police raids took place one year to the day after the Russian Supreme Court banned the “international LGBT movement”, paving the way for arrests and prosecutions against the country's already repressed LGBT+ community.
Russian security forces raided at least three bars and nightclubs overnight “as part of measures to combat LGBT propaganda”, the official Tass news agency reported.
The Kremlin has hardened its conservative rhetoric since the war against Ukraine began nearly three years ago, casting the conflict as a battle against the West and its values.
Human rights groups say the country is waging an unprecedented crackdown on LGBT+ people, with many owners of LGBT+ party venues arrested and anyone associated with promoting LGBT+ rights prosecuted.
