Ukraine updates: Russia seizes more territory in Donetsk
Published July 13, 2025last updated July 13, 2025
What you need to know
Russia has captured another village in Ukraine's Donetsk region as it continues to intensify its offensive.
Meanwhile, North Korea's Kim Jong Un has offered his "unconditional support."
Elsewhere, Ukraine has "eliminated" a man and a woman said to be responsible for the killing of an SBU secret service officer in Kyiv.
This blog is closed. Find a roundup of news on Russia's war in Ukraine from July 13, 2025, below:
Russia, China discuss Ukraine war
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Beijing on Sunday to discuss the Ukraine war.
The top Russian diplomat arrived in China, where he is to attend a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) foreign ministers following a visit to North Korea.
Lavrov and Wang "discussed relations with the United States and the prospects for resolving the Ukrainian crisis," according to a statement from Russia's foreign ministry.
China and Russia declared a "no limits" strategic partnership in February 2022 during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Beijing, less than three weeks before his troops invaded Ukraine.
Beijing has never denounced Russia's war in Ukraine nor called for Moscow to withdraw its troops.
The statement from the Russian foreign ministry said Lavrov and Wang also discussed other "hot topics" such as the war in Gaza and the situation on the Korean peninsula.
Ukraine says its killed two people responsible for the killing of an SBU secret service officer
Ukraine has "eliminated" a man and a woman said to be responsible for the killing of an SBU secret service officer in Kyiv.
The two suspects were working on behalf of Russia. Their hideout was found as part of investigations, Vasyl Malyuk, head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), said in a video clip on Telegram.
"They resisted arrest, a firefight ensued, and the criminals were eliminated," Malyuk said. At the end of the video, two dead bodies are seen behind the officer.
The development comes after an SBU officer was shot dead in Kyiv on Thursday. He is said to have been behind acts of sabotage in Russia.
North Korea gives full backing to Russia
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the port city of Wonsan, offering Moscow "unconditional support."
The meeting came as analysts suggest North Korea will send more troops to fight alongside Russia amid its offensive against Ukraine.
Read here for more details.
Russia captures another village in Donetsk region
Russia said Sunday that it had seized another village in Ukraine's Donetsk region.
Moscow's offensive on Ukraine has lasted for more than three years, with the attacks being ramped up of late, while US-led peace negotiations have yet to yield any results.
Russia's defense ministry said Moscow troops had captured Myrne, calling the village by its Soviet name "Karl Marx."
The defense ministry claimed forces had moved "deep into the enemy's defense" as it seized the village.
Russia has so far rejected a ceasefire proposed by the United States and Ukraine. Donald Trump has regularly boasted about being the one who can bring about peace in Ukraine.
Welcome to our coverage
Welcome to DW's coverage of the latest developments in Russia's war in Ukraine.
Russia says it has taken another village in Ukraine's Donetsk region.
Meanwhile, North Korea's Kim Jong Un has hailed his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, saying that Pyongyang offers its "unconditional support" to Moscow as it continues its offensive against Ukraine.