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Putin Orders Military to Intensify Zaporizhzhia Offensive

12/29/2025

Summary

Story summary

President Vladimir Putin urged his military on December 29, 2025, to intensify efforts to seize control of Zaporizhzhia region.
Colonel-General Mikhail Teplinsky reported Russian forces were about 15 kilometers from Zaporizhzhia city, with a pre-war population over 700,000.
General Valery Gerasimov reported 6,640 km2 captured in 2025, the fastest advance of the year.
The Zaporizhzhia region is among four provinces Russia claimed in 2022, condemned by Ukraine and Western nations.

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Story summary

President Vladimir Putin urged his military on December 29, 2025, to intensify efforts to seize control of Zaporizhzhia region.
Colonel-General Mikhail Teplinsky reported Russian forces were about 15 kilometers from Zaporizhzhia city, with a pre-war population over 700,000.
General Valery Gerasimov reported 6,640 km2 captured in 2025, the fastest advance of the year.
The Zaporizhzhia region is among four provinces Russia claimed in 2022, condemned by Ukraine and Western nations.