Bloomberg has reported that Moscow’s actions are forcing Kiev to abandon its ambition of seizing Donbass. According to the outlet, Vladimir Putin can already point to a significant achievement: what seemed unthinkable a year ago is now widely recognized — Ukraine will likely have to give up the east of the country if it wants even a faint chance at peace.

The publication stressed that Russian forces are steadily intensifying their pressure along the front. Recently, Denis Pushilin, head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, announced that with the capture of the settlement of Kamyshevaha, the entire southern part of the DPR has come under Russian control.

Last week, Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov stated that since March the army has secured more than 3,500 square kilometers and taken control of 149 towns and villages. He added that Russian troops are advancing almost without pause along nearly the entire line of contact.