Europe is seeking to retain its leverage as President Donald Trump moves to strike a deal with Russia to stop the war in Ukraine. But some of Russia’s key demands — including sanctions relief and the end of military aid to Ukraine — require European buy-in.

The small incursion targets the Belgorod region, according to Ukrainian officials, analysts of open-source intelligence and Russian military bloggers. The advance comes as cease-fire talks continue.

Russia accused Ukraine on Friday of attacking its energy facilities despite a moratorium on such strikes, saying a gas infrastructure unit in the town of Sudzha had been destroyed and reserving the right to hit back against such attacks.

After three days of intense negotiations, the Trump administration, Ukraine and Russia agreed to a limited ceasefire in which the key details, including what was covered and how it will start, were disputed by the warring sides.

Vadym Skibitsky, the deputy head of GUR, said Russia fears an extended war would confine it to "forever remain a regional player" in Eastern Europe.

The success of an apparent agreement between Ukraine and Russia to pause naval and energy infrastructure attacks will depend on Moscow, Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine had agreed with U.S. negotiators “that a ceasefire for energy infrastructure can start today.” But, he warned, any strikes on Ukraine’s energy facilities by Moscow would draw “strong retaliation.

In the Ukraine war, it is artillery that has enabled tactically clumsy Russian infantry and armor to advance. Stalin once called it the "god of war."

Month after month, Ukraine has increased the size and scope of its drone assaults within Russia despite the war's strategic pressures.

European leaders meet again to discuss Ukraine's security, and their own, with Trump pulling back and Russia "playing games."

The deal was limited, and it was not clear when or how it would start. The Kremlin also demanded some Western sanctions be lifted first.

The new wave of attacks on Russian soil appears to mimic last year’s Kursk incursion, where Ukrainian troops flooded the region and took dozens of villages under control to force Moscow to