Russia prepares to push toward Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast

Russian troops are reinforcing their presence in the village of Kalynove, Donetsk Oblast, in preparation for an advance toward Stara Mykolaivka and the strategic road leading to Kostiantynivka, according to Ukrainian monitoring group DeepState.

Russian forces are deploying infantry and establishing logistics routes and communication lines in the area. The tempo of Russia’s offensive operations has recently slowed, with DeepState noting that Russian forces captured only 133 square kilometers in March — the lowest monthly figure since June 2024.

Ukrainian troops operating near Kalynove have reported a significant increase in Russian drone activity. DeepState notes that new Russian drone crews, previously active in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, have been relocated to this sector. The drones are reportedly capable of reaching as far as Kostiantynivka, potentially disrupting Ukrainian logistics.

Kostiantynivka, a key logistical hub for Ukrainian forces in Donetsk Oblast, lies about 10 kilometers southwest of the front line near Chasiv Yar. Before the war, it had a population of around 67,000 people.

On 19 April, Ukraine’s General Staff reported that Russian troops launched 54 assault operations in the Pokrovsk sector, approximately 35 kilometers east of Kalynove.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on 17 April that Russia is likely to attempt new offensives in the Sumy, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, and possibly renew attacks in the east.

Paris Talks Signal Hope but No Breakthrough in Ukraine Peace Efforts

On April 17, 2025, Paris hosted high-level talks involving U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff, alongside Ukrainian and European leaders, aimed at brokering a ceasefire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. French President Emmanuel Macron described the discussions as “positive and constructive,” emphasizing Europe’s renewed role in negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking from Kyiv, urged pressure on Russia to halt its aggression, citing recent deadly attacks, including a drone strike in Dnipro that killed three, including a child. The talks focused on a U.S.-proposed ceasefire, sanctions relief for Russia, and a frozen front line without NATO membership for Ukraine, but no immediate agreement was reached, with a follow-up meeting planned in London.

Despite the diplomatic momentum, challenges persist. Russia’s rejection of criticism and accusations of stalling, coupled with the Kremlin’s dismissal of the Paris talks as war-mongering, underscore deep mistrust. European leaders, wary of being sidelined in U.S.-Russia negotiations, pushed for robust security guarantees for Ukraine, with France and Britain advocating a “reassurance force” to deter future Russian aggression. However, Rubio warned that the U.S. could abandon mediation efforts within days without progress, reflecting impatience in Washington. Zelenskyy’s insistence on Ukraine’s inclusion in any deal, combined with European skepticism about Russia’s good faith, highlights the complexity of achieving a lasting peace.

Russia seeks lifting of US aviation sanctions, but EU hampers these efforts

Russia has been actively promoting the idea of reopening U.S. airspace to Russian airlines as part of broader ceasefire negotiations with Ukraine, though these proposals are facing firm resistance from the European Union - Politico reports.

According to Politico, the EU remains opposed to lifting aviation sanctions imposed on Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. An official from the European Commission, speaking anonymously, emphasized that EU sanctions remain in place, including the ban on Russian aircraft flying over EU territory.

In addition to the political obstacles, the official highlighted major safety and security concerns regarding the potential reopening of EU airspace to Russian carriers. These concerns stem from uncertainty over the maintenance and safety standards of Russian aviation infrastructure and fleets, which have been largely cut off from Western support and spare parts for Boeing and Airbus aircraft since 2022.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently reiterated Moscow’s demand for the restoration of direct flights with the United States, suggesting this should follow the lifting of sanctions on national carrier Aeroflot. Lavrov claimed that Washington had considered the idea, but Russia has yet to see a reciprocal move.

Furthermore, Russia reportedly submitted a proposal to Washington requesting permission to purchase aircraft from Boeing and pay for them using frozen Russian state assets—on the condition that a ceasefire agreement is achieved.

Any potential easing of airspace restrictions for U.S. and Russian airlines could create competitive pressure on European carriers, which have faced increased costs from rerouting flights around Russian airspace, particularly on routes to Asia. This situation has provided an advantage to non-Western carriers, such as those from China, which continue to use Russian airspace.

Despite these factors, Brussels shows no indication of entering talks with Moscow about reopening airspace, primarily due to both political opposition and continued safety concerns related to flying over Russian territory.