- Zelenskyy sanctions 41 judges for sentencing Ukraine's soldiers to prison terms

MOSCOW

Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday announced advances in regaining control of more territories, with Moscow reporting that only 15-17% of Donetsk remains in Ukrainian hands and Kyiv claiming that it has retaken nearly the entire Dnipropetrovsk region.

At a meeting of Ukraine's military commanders in Kyiv, Oleksandr Komarenko, chief of the General Staff's Main Operational Directorate, stated that 400 square kilometers of territory have been reclaimed from Russia.

"Almost the entire territory of the Dnipropetrovsk region has been liberated. We have three small settlements left to finish and two more to clear," he said.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also imposed sanctions on Russian judges who sentenced captured Ukrainian soldiers to prison terms.

The sanctions package includes 41 judges, 38 of whom are Russian citizens, he said.

Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed it shot down a Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jet, eight guided aviation bombs, 3 US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) rockets, and 241 drones over the past day.

Separately, Russian President Vladimir Putin said approximately 15% of the Donetsk region remains under Ukraine's control.

Speaking at a meeting with Russia-appointed Donetsk region governor Denis Pushilin, Putin said six months ago the figure was higher.

"Quite recently, just about six months ago, we estimated that about 25 percent of the territory of the Donetsk People's Republic was under the control of the Kyiv authorities," he said. "Now I am being told it is 15–17 percent."

"Yes, within those limits, approximately 17%," Pushilin replied.

Independent verification of claims on both sides is challenging due to the ongoing conflict.