Russian forces advance on key town in Donestk, South Africa calls for peace

The Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday that its forces have taken control of the settlements of Kleban-Byk and Srednee in the Donetsk region.

The taking of Kleban-Byk would mark a further advance toward Kostyantynivka – a key fortified town on the road to Kramatorsk, where a major Ukrainian logistics base is located.

According to TASS, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Russian military attacked a Ukrainian enterprise for military-industrial use, temporary deployment points and foreign mercenaries and four guided aerial bombs and 160 drones were blocked by Russian air defense systems.

On Friday, Russia said its troops had captured three villages in the Donetsk region it claimed in September 2022.

On Saturday, Ukrainian military officials said its forces had stopped a Russian advance and recaptured the village of Zeleny Gai in the Donetsk region in a post on Telegram.

South Africa added its voice to those calling for a summit between Ukraine and Russia.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held a telephone conversation with European leaders on Saturday to discuss the Russia-Ukraine peace efforts, according to the Presidency. The Presidency said Ramaphosa has spoken to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson to the president, said Ramaphosa will speak with other European leaders in the coming days and that the president has urged all parties to sustain the momentum in working toward peace between Ukraine and Russia.

(With input from agencies)