**Russia Claims to Have Captured Two Villages in Ukraine**
Russia’s Defense Ministry said on January 12 that its forces had captured the villages of Yantarne and Kalynove. However, Ukraine has not commented on these claims.
**Russian Forces Pressure Ukrainian Defenders**
The situation in eastern Ukraine is becoming increasingly difficult for Ukrainian defenders. Moscow‘s forces have been putting pressure on Ukrainian troops, who are outnumbered and outgunned.
**Yantarne Village**
Yantarne lies about 10 kilometers southeast of the town of Kurakhove, which has been almost completely overrun by Russian forces. Ukrainian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov shared footage showing Russian soldiers raising flags over damaged buildings in Yantarne on January 10.
**Kalynove Village**
The village of Kalynove lies on the west bank of the Oskil River and north of Kupiansk, a key logistical hub liberated by Ukraine. Russian forces have been trying to force the Oskil River for months, but they are now within 2 kilometers of Kupiansk’s outskirts.
**International Response**
The situation in Ukraine is becoming increasingly complex. The United States has imposed new sanctions on Russia, which will make it harder for Moscow to finance its war effort. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has also proposed a lower cap on Russian oil exports, but Russia and Saudi Arabia are opposing this move.
**Russian Drones Strike Civilian Infrastructure**
Russian drones have been launched at Ukraine from several directions in Russia. On January 12, they struck civilian infrastructure in Sumy Oblast, causing multiple casualties.
**Sweden Increases Military Presence**
In response to suspected sabotage of underwater cables, Sweden is increasing its military presence in the Baltic Sea with three warships and a radar reconnaissance aircraft.
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