Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared last week to be cautiously optimistic on the U.S. 28-point peace plan to end his invasion of Ukraine.

The attack came as U.S. officials were expected to hold peace talks with Ukrainian and Russian officials in the coming days.

The growing ability of Russia’s troops to hit Ukrainian supply lines with drones is seen as a more significant shift than its incremental gains in territory.

Pokrovsk was dubbed a "fortress" settlement in the Donetsk region, key to Ukrainian lines in the east and connected to other cities forming the backbone of Ukraine's defense in the east. Russia kicked off a push to take Pokrovsk in the summer of 2024.

Nearly four years into Russia’s invasion, women here are increasingly taking on combat roles once reserved for men.