New Delhi, Dec. 4 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning on Thursday, declaring that Moscow stands ready to seize Ukraine's entire Donbas region "by force if necessary," as frontline clashes intensified and international pressure mounted over abducted children. The pronouncement, delivered during a meeting with defense officials, came amid reports of Russian advances in Zaporizhia and a United Nations resolution demanding the return of thousands of Ukrainian minors taken to Russia's special military operation in Ukraine began nearly four years ago.

The Kremlin's belligerent rhetoric arrives at a precarious moment in the protracted conflict, now entering its 1,379th day. Russian forces claimed control of the village of...