Putin Dons Military Uniform, Celebrates Capture Of Hulyaipole & Myrnohrad

Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared in full military uniform during a visit to the command post of Russia’s Joint Group of Forces, signalling confidence as Moscow claims fresh battlefield gains in eastern Ukraine. Russian military commanders told Putin that operations are “succeeding” in meeting the aims of the so-called Special Military Operation, with advances reported across multiple fronts. Russia claimed it has captured two more towns — Myrnohrad in the Donetsk region and Hulyaipole in Zaporizhzhia — intensifying pressure on Ukrainian forces ahead of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. Putin thanked Russian troops for what he described as the “liberation” of Myrnohrad, praising their effectiveness as mop-up operations continue. Military officials also reported progress in creating a buffer zone in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions, while claiming heavy losses among elite Ukrainian units, including the 95th and 82nd brigades. Russia’s Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov said the army is advancing “along all fronts,” as Moscow warns Kyiv that if diplomacy fails, it will pursue its objectives by military means.