Russia’s advance in Donetsk continues as it claims to have captured Ukrainian settlements Zolota Nyva and Zhelanna Pershe. The Russian defence ministry has reported capturing these two small settlements near the city of Kurakhove in eastern Ukraine. These communities, each with a few hundred residents, are strategically located to the north and south of Kurakhove, a focal point of military activity on the eastern front.
While Russia often prematurely announces control of settlements, Ukrainian war tracker DeepState, closely linked to the military, confirmed the occupation of Zhelanna Pershe. Reports suggest that Zolota Nyva is still held by Ukrainian forces. Ukraine’s military had previously mentioned Zolota Nyva as one of the villages targeted in Russian assaults.
The Donetsk region, where these developments are taking place, has been a key battleground between Russia and Ukraine since 2014. Following the capture of the strategic town of Vuhledar at the beginning of October, Russian forces have been pushing in various directions within the region. The objective appears to be gaining control over the entire Donbas region, as desired by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In the latest update, the Ukrainian military’s general staff reported 89 attacks by Russian forces across three fronts in Donetsk within the last 24 hours. These offensives are focused on the cities of Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Kurakhove. Russian forces have recently expanded their control towards Pokrovsk, with Kurakhove in the southern area and Toretsk in the north.
The situation remains tense as Russian troops reportedly entered the eastern outskirts of Toretsk, leading to unstable conditions in the city. Towards Kurakhove, Russian forces are advancing through Zhelanna Pershe and the recently captured Vuhledar, positioning themselves closer to the city. Further north, between Kurakhove and Pokrovsk, Russian troops have seized the town of Tsukuryne.
The potential fall of Kurakhove could shift Russian focus towards capturing Pokrovsk, crucial for defending the wider Donetsk region according to the Centre for Defence Strategies, a Ukrainian security think tank. The capturing of key cities could significantly alter the dynamics of the conflict and impact the broader security landscape in the region.