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Russia has announced that its forces have seized control of the front-line town of Kurakhove in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region.
Kurakhove has been a focal point of intense Russian advances in recent months, serving as a critical stepping-stone toward Pokrovsk, a key logistical hub. The town lies approximately 35 kilometers (21 miles) south of Pokrovsk.
Ukrainian officials have not confirmed the fall of Kurakhove. Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Khortytsia group of forces, told Reuters on Monday morning that Ukrainian troops were still engaging Russian forces inside the town.
Images circulating on social media, shared by Reuters, allegedly show a soldier raising a Russian flag in Kurakhove. However, these images have not been independently verified.
Kurakhove’s capture would enable Russian forces to approach Pokrovsk from a new strategic direction. Roman Pohorily, a military analyst, noted that Kurakhove’s road network plays a significant role in moving troops and supplies along the front line.
Russia’s defense ministry also claimed on Monday that its forces had taken control of Dachenske, a village located about 8 kilometers (5 miles) south of Pokrovsk.
Meanwhile, fierce battles have erupted in Russia’s Kursk region following a Ukrainian counter-attack launched on Sunday.
Reports suggest Ukrainian forces are grappling with manpower shortages and have been losing ground in the eastern regions of the country as Russian troops continue their advance.
