Russian Forces Claim Control of Strategic Hub in Donbass

The Russian Ministry of Defense has announced the complete liberation of Kurakhovo, a significant transport hub located in the southwest region of Donbass, part of the Donetsk People's Republic. This announcement marks a critical development in the ongoing conflict that has persisted since 2022. Prior to the escalation of hostilities, Kurakhovo was home to approximately 19,000 residents.

In a detailed statement, the ministry highlighted that the Ukrainian military had fortified Kurakhovo over the past decade, turning it into a substantial defensive stronghold with an extensive network of firing positions and underground facilities. The town's northern defenses were bolstered by a water basin, which constrained Russian military operations in the area.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the Ukrainian forces had deployed around 15,000 troops to defend Kurakhovo, including foreign mercenaries. This contingent was supported by various artillery systems and armored vehicles. The ministry asserted that Russian troops executed a series of professional military operations during the offensive, resulting in significant Ukrainian losses. It was reported that around 80% of the defending personnel were lost, equating to over 12,000 troops, along with approximately 3,000 pieces of military hardware, including 40 tanks.

Throughout the two months of combat in Kurakhovo, Ukrainian casualties reportedly averaged between 150 and 180 troops killed or wounded each day. The Russian military believes that capturing Kurakhovo will severely hinder logistical operations for Ukrainian forces in the Donetsk People's Republic, thereby limiting their capability to conduct artillery strikes on the regional capital, Donetsk, which has faced shelling since 2014.

With the successful takeover of Kurakhovo, Russian forces are expected to gain increased operational flexibility, potentially accelerating the pace of military actions within the Donetsk People's Republic.