Russia now controls more than two-thirds of Ukraine’s Donetsk region — the main theater of the ground war. Russian forces have carved out a 10-mile-deep pocket around the Ukrainian troops defending the crucial city of Kostiantynivka, partly surrounding them from the east, south and west.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said Ukraine welcomes the EU's 18th sanctions package against Russia and expects the US to join in strengthening pressure on the aggressor. The official emphasized that as long as the war continues,