Russian forces have taken control of the city of Kurakhove, situated in the strategically important Donetsk region, following a prolonged two-month siege, according to reports from local sources.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted that Russian troops achieved significant progress in western Kurakhove on December 24, following an offensive that commenced in mid-October.
Newsweek reached out to the Russian Ministry of Defence for confirmation of these advances via email, but no response was received at the time of publication.
Why it matters
Donetsk is one of four regions of Ukraine that Russian President Vladimir Putin declared as part of Russia following the escalation of the conflict in 2022. As a result, the region has become a crucial battleground in the ongoing war.
Putin previously outlined Donetsk as a primary target for Russian forces by 2025, and the recent advances in Kurakhove mark an important step towards solidifying Russian control over the area. To secure the city, the Russian military dedicated substantial resources, with an estimated 35,000 troops deployed during the two-month siege.
What we know so far
Ukrainian authorities have confirmed that Russian forces have made notable gains surrounding Kurakhove, with the Khortytsia Group of Forces reporting that Ukraine has lost control over several positions in the Donetsk region.
The siege, which began in October, saw the Russian military escalate its efforts, deploying significant reinforcements and increasing pressure on Ukrainian defenders. According to the ISW, Russia intensified its use of armoured assaults, resulting in substantial losses of armoured vehicles.
Ukrainian intelligence sources indicate that Russian forces are now focused on consolidating their positions in the region, with artillery bombardments continuing to target Ukrainian infrastructure in Donetsk.
What ukrainian officials are saying
Viktor Trehubov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Khortytsia Group of Forces, spoke to Ukrainian television, providing an update on the situation: “Over the last 24 hours, 31 combat clashes occurred in the Kurakhove sector. In both the urban area of Kurakhove and nearby areas such as Dalnie, Dachne, and Uspenivka, Russian assault groups are attempting to infiltrate our defensive lines.”
“They are advancing in small units, seeking to secure positions in buildings or bypass city structures on the outskirts. However, despite their small unit tactics, the scale of the operation remains significant, with forces from the 8th and 29th Russian armies, the 90th Tank Division, the 20th Motor Rifle Division, and the 5th and 110th Separate Motor Rifle Divisions all engaged in the area.”
What happens next
The capture of Kurakhove gives Russian forces a strong position in the region, enabling them to launch potential future operations. However, the ISW suggests that further Russian advances could be challenging, as Ukraine still maintains a significant presence in the nearby Kurakhivska area, to the west of the city.
