Russia Claims Capture of Kurakhove in Eastern Ukraine
Kurakhove, a front-line town, has been captured according to Russia from the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine which is a major event in its ongoing military actions. For several months now, the Russian advances have had a focus on this town. Kurakhove connects Pokrovsk which is an important logistical base for troops and supplies along the frontline.
Nevertheless, Ukraine has not confirmed the fall of Kurakhove. Despite this, spokesman for Ukraine Khortytsia group of forces Viktor Trehubov says that Ukrainian forces were still inside the town engaging Russians as at Monday morning. An unverified picture circulating on social media and shared by Reuters shows a soldier hoisting a Russian flag over Kurakhove; however, it is unclear whether it is genuine or not.
Military experts suggest that if they can take control of Kurakhove it would enable them to launch a northern assault on Pokrovsk leading to opening up another frontline position. Still, Russia’s defense minister says that soldiers have also taken Dachenske village located “about 8 kilometers south of Pokrovsk.”
Ukraine, meanwhile, is facing increasing difficulties in the East, with reports of lack of manpower and territorial losses. Fierce fighting has also been reported in Russia’s Kursk region where on Sunday Ukrainian forces launched a counter-attack which escalated the conflict even further.
The situation of Kurakhove remains critical as the war for control rages on, with its result likely to shape the wider dynamics of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
