Russian forces have occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia region since 2022, including the nuclear power plant that Ukraine warns poses a major threat under Russian control. For Putin, advancing toward the regional capital would put a major prize within reach — and help in his bid to actually control a territory he declared part of Russia.

Russia is open to negotiations on an end to the Ukraine war if initiated by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, but any talks need to be based on the realities of Russian advances, Moscow's ambassador to the U.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to Europe for urgent meetings on Ukraine with NATO and European Union officials following last week’s U.S. presidential election and the return of Donald T