Russian troops have reportedly captured the stronghold of Kurakhove in eastern Ukraine after a prolonged battle, as claimed by Russia's Defense Ministry. This development adds to the list of territories in the partially occupied Donetsk region that Russia has taken control of during the nearly three-year war.
The town of Kurakhove, a key stronghold for the Ukrainian army on the eastern front line, has an industrial zone, a thermal power plant, and a reservoir. It also lies on a crucial highway connecting eastern and southern Ukraine.
Reports suggest that the town, which previously had a population of around 14,000, now houses only a fraction of that number due to the relentless attacks it has faced, including artillery shelling, rocket launches, guided bombs, and drone strikes that have left buildings in ruins.
Ukraine, facing a shortage of troops on the front lines, is struggling to hold back the advancing Russian forces, who are aiming to capture all of Donetsk. Russian troops are now reportedly targeting the nearby town of Pokrovsk, a vital road junction and rail distribution center supplying resources to a large part of the Ukrainian front line.
In 2022, Russia illegally annexed the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, along with the southeastern provinces of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, forming the Donbas industrial area. However, Russian forces do not have full control over any of these regions.
The conflict in Ukraine has taken on new dimensions with the upcoming inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, introducing an element of uncertainty. Both sides seem to be making strategic moves on the battlefield ahead of any potential peace talks.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has expressed the urgent need for increased Western military aid, with hopes for additional pledges at an upcoming meeting with Western partners in Germany. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry has reported a fresh offensive by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region, where Kyiv is said to have lost a significant portion of its previously captured territory.
For more updates on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, visit AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine.
