Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has faced a setback following an announcement from Russian forces claiming to have seized over 30% of the buildings in Myrnohrad, located in the Pokrovsk Raion (district) of Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine.
During a meeting with officers of the Centre Grouping on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, Russia’s military chief, General Valery Gerasimov, stated that his forces are making advancements along the entire front in Ukraine and have taken control of more than 30% of the buildings in the eastern town of Myrnohrad.
“Russia has taken control of more than 30% of Myrnohrad’s buildings,” said General Gerasimov.
Russian Forces Claim to Have Seized Over 30% of Buildings in Myrnohrad
Gerasimov also claimed that Russia now controls the entirety of Pokrovsk city and has encircled Ukrainian forces in Myrnohrad, which the Russians refer to as Dimitrov.
However, the Ukrainian administration has repeatedly denied these claims, asserting that its forces still control part of the city and are actively fighting back in Myrnohrad.
At the same time, Russia’s Defence Ministry reported that its air defenses downed 121 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 22 aimed at occupied Crimea.
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A total of 49 drones were downed in the Belgorod region, with smaller numbers intercepted in areas including Ryazan, Voronezh, and Rostov regions, according to Ukrainska Pravda.
The Russian military chief’s statements come as President Zelenskyy faces pressure to cede some territories to Russia; however, he has firmly rejected the idea of surrendering any land to President Putin.
On December 8, 2025, Zelenskyy met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street in London, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
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Their discussions focused on ongoing U.S.-led peace talks aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, highlighting a controversial U.S. proposal that initially consisted of 28 points but was reduced to 20.
This proposal reportedly demands that Ukraine cede control of regions like Donbas to Russia in exchange for security guarantees and an end to hostilities.
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In response, Ukraine is set to present a revised peace plan to the Trump administration on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, as Zelenskyy pushes back against U.S. demands to surrender territory to Russia.
“Do we envision ceding territories?” Zelenskyy questioned late on Monday after his meetings in London. “We have no legal right to do so, under Ukrainian law, our constitution, and international law. And we don’t have any moral right either,” he stated.
The Trump administration is reportedly indicating that Kyiv will need to cede some land it currently controls, a move that Zelenskyy has categorically ruled out.
Trump has expressed his impatience with Zelenskyy, asserting that the Ukrainian president “isn’t ready” for peace after stating that Putin was “fine” with the U.S.-proposed plan.
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