Russian army likely captures Kurakhove in Donetsk Region – ISW

Russian forces have likely occupied the town of Kurakhove in the Donetsk Region, but their further advance westward may face significant difficulties.

According to a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), geolocation footage released on December 24 and 25 shows that russian forces have occupied the western part of Kurakhove and have advanced to a windbreak southwest of the town. According to ISW, the occupiers have likely reached the administrative borders of the settlement, also capturing adjacent fields south of the town and north of the village of Dalnie.

According to russian military bloggers, units of the 5th Motorized Rifle Brigade (51st Combined Arms Army, former the 1st Donetsk People's Republic Army Corps have planted a flag in the western part of Kurakhove. Other russian units, including the 110th and 114th Motorized Rifle Brigades of the 51st Army, as well as the 20th and 150th Motorized Rifle Divisions of the 8th Army, continue their offensive on the northern and southern flanks of the town.

However, russian sources have made conflicting claims about the scale of this advance. Some claim that russian troops have reached the village of Dachne west of Kurakhove, while others report unsuccessful attempts to capture the Kurakhove TPP, which is located outside the administrative boundaries of the town, according to ISW estimates.

The Khortytsia Operational and Strategic Troops Group confirmed that Ukrainian defense forces have recently lost some positions in the direction of Kurakhove.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, the russian army has occupied Ukrainka in the Donetsk Region and has advanced near 7 settlements.