Russia has announced that its forces have captured the front-line town of Kurakhove in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region, a strategic location in the ongoing conflict.
The town has been at the forefront of Russian advances in recent months and serves as a critical stepping-stone towards the key logistical hub of Pokrovsk.
Ukraine has not confirmed the fall of Kurakhove, located 35 kilometres (21 miles) south of Pokrovsk. Fierce fighting continues in the region, with reports of intense clashes between Ukrainian and Russian forces.
An image shared on social media, which has not been verified by the BBC, appears to show a soldier holding a Russian flag in Kurakhove. While this suggests Russian control, the authenticity of the image remains uncertain.
Viktor Trehubov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Khortytsia group of forces, stated that, as of Monday morning, Ukrainian forces were still engaged in combat with Russian troops inside Kurakhove.
The town’s location is crucial, as it is connected to Pokrovsk by roads that facilitate the movement of troops and supplies along the front line. Analysts suggest that capturing Kurakhove would allow Russian forces to attack Pokrovsk from a new direction, strengthening their position in the region.
In addition to Kurakhove, Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed on Monday that it had captured the village of Dachenske, located about 8 kilometres south of Pokrovsk.
Ukrainian forces are reportedly struggling with manpower shortages, with recent months seeing them lose ground in the eastern part of Ukraine as Russian troops continue their advances.