Intense fighting in Donetsk Oblast has put Ukraine at significant risk of losing five key cities to Russian forces, as revealed by Yehor Firsov, Chief Sergeant of the 109th Brigade’s UAV Strike Company. Speaking to local broadcaster Espreso TV, Firsov identified Chasiv Yar, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and Toretsk as major battlefronts currently locked in heavy conflict.

Firsov shared that the situation on the ground is extremely challenging, with both Ukrainian and Russian forces grappling with shortages of weapons and drones exacerbated by relentless fighting. “I feel that this is a kind of all-in, meaning that the Russians are throwing all their forces at these areas,” he stated. He noted a shift in the Russian strategy, observing that they are no longer dispersing their forces across the entire frontline but instead concentrating their efforts in specific locations where they aspire to achieve breakthroughs.

Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, Firsov called for increased support from Ukraine’s allies, asserting that “we are in the hot phase of the war, and the possibility of losing five cities is at stake.” He expressed concern that while some Western allies might not perceive the situation as pressing, allowing Moscow to capture these cities could deal a severe blow to the morale of Ukrainian troops who have made significant sacrifices in their defense.

In a separate yet relevant development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a rare admission regarding the war’s toll on Ukraine’s military personnel, indicating casualties that have exceeded 400,000. His remarks revealed an estimated 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed and around 370,000 wounded since the onset of war in February 2022. This statement came in response to comments made by newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed that Ukraine had “ridiculously lost” 400,000 soldiers during the conflict.

Zelensky’s figures starkly contrast with Trump’s estimates regarding Russian casualties. The Ukrainian leader reported that Russia has suffered approximately 198,000 deaths and more than 550,000 injuries since the war began. However, these figures have not been independently verified by other sources. The ongoing bloodshed and suffering underscore the high stakes in the continued conflict, as both sides face tremendous losses and the potential for further escalation in battles that could reshape the region’s geopolitical landscape.