Russia claims capture of key town in Ukraine's eastern Donbas

FRANCE 24

6 January 2025 at 3:53 am·1-min read

Russian troops in eastern Ukraine have captured the stronghold of Kurakhove after a monthslong battle, Russia’s defence ministry claimed Monday, adding the wrecked town to the Kremlin’s list of conquests during the almost three-year war.

Russia said Monday its forces had captured the "important logistics hub" of Kurakhove in eastern Ukraine in what would be a key advance after months of steady gains in the area.

Moscow has been pressing hard in eastern Ukraine, and the claimed capture of the industrial town is a major boost for its forces just two weeks before US President-elect Donald Trump comes to power, having vowed to strike a peace deal.

Both sides are looking to secure a better position on the battlefield before his January 20 inauguration. Moscow said Kyiv had launched its own counter-offensive on Russian territory over the weekend.

Russian units "have fully liberated the town of Kurakhove – the biggest settlement in southwestern Donbas", the defence ministry said on Telegram.

Ukrainian forces did not confirm the claim, saying only that Russia was "conducting assault operations in the urban area of Kurakhove".

"Measures are under way to identify and destroy enemy assault groups trying to infiltrate our combat formations," the army said.

Ukraine's General Staff said on Facebook that its forces "repelled 27 attacks in the Kurakhove sector".

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

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