Russia 'Increasing Pace Of Gains' In Ukraine Despite Trump's Peace Plea, Says UK

Emergency services personnel work to extinguish a fire following a Russian attack in Odesa, Ukraine, Friday, July 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Shtekel)Russia “increasing the pace” of its gains in Ukraine despite Donald Trump’s please for Vladimir Putin to end the war.The Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) latest intelligence update on the conflict says Russian troops are seized more of their neighbour’s territory throughout May and June.In a post on X, the MoD said: “Russian ground forces highly likely seized approximately 550-600 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory in June 2025, an average of approximately 18-20 sq km per day.“This was a slight increase from Russian advances in May 2025, which was itself a notable increase on the approximately 200 sq km of Ukrainian territory in April 2025.”The MoD said the gains were “largely in rural, less built-up areas”.“Russia has focused on identifying weak areas across the defensive line,” they said.“Small assaults enable Russia to probe and spot opportunistic areas to break through and make further gains across the front line.”However, the intelligence update also pointed out that Russia is struggling to take fortified cities in Ukraine, choosing instead to circumvent them and try to cut off logistic and communication lines.Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 17 July 2025.Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/wmOoAZdzxI#StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/lSy8AAAZKt— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) July 17, 2025News of the increased Russian gains will increase suspicions that Putin is trying to grab as much Ukrainian territory as they can before any potential ceasefire kicks in.Donald Trump warned earlier this week that America would impose 100% tariffs on Russian exports to the US unless Moscow stops its assault within 50 days.The US president has also agreed to send US Patriot missiles to Ukraine, although they will be paid for by the European Union.“I haven’t agreed on the number yet but they’re going to have some because they do need protection,” Trump said.Former Russian prime minister Mikhail Kasyanov this week said the country’s worsening economy could force Putin to end the war this year.He said: “Putin has no people to work. All people just transfer from civilian industry to military industry. Civilian industry is already contracting, that’s a problem he has. By the end of the year, a completely different situation will appear.”Related...Former Russian PM Says Putin Could Be Forced To End The Ukraine War This YearTrump Just Called Out Putin's 'Bulls***' – But Don't Expect Anything To Change In Ukraine'Volodymyr, Can You Hit Moscow?': Trump's Extraordinary Question During Zelenskyy Phone Call

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