State Duma Defense Committee member Andrei Kolesnik said Russian forces are maintaining a high tempo of advance across all sectors, which, in his view, is accelerating the path toward victory.

Kolesnik said it is still impossible to name an exact date for the end of the conflict. At the same time, he pointed to large-scale strikes and the continued advance of Russian troops. He singled out the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk urban area, which he described as a key sector for taking full control of Donbass.

The lawmaker argued that battlefield gains are bringing Russia closer to victory, but said the conflict itself will not end until Western countries stop supporting Ukraine and peace negotiations begin.

In his view, any settlement would also require a long-term agreement capable of ensuring stable peace for decades.

Kolesnik added that Russia is now effectively confronting not only Ukraine but the collective West. He said more than 50 countries are supporting Kiev and are involved in the confrontation either directly or indirectly.