Russian forces claim capture of strategic town in Donetsk region
The Russian Ministry of Defence announced that Russian forces have captured the town of Novodmytrivka, located in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine. This location is crucial in the context of the potential success of the offensive on Kurakhove, media emphasize.
Reuters notes that the Ukrainian side has not yet confirmed the takeover of Novodmytrivka by the Russians. Independent sources have also not provided confirmation of these events.
According to the AFP agency, citing reports from the Ukrainian armed forces, Russian troops are advancing daily by about 200 to 300 metres towards Kurakhove, which is a significant logistical centre.
According to Reuters, a video was published online showing Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov visiting the command post of the Russian Army group "North," where he awarded medals and emphasized the success of the offensive on Kurakhove.
Meanwhile, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that on the Kurakhove front, which spans approximately 1,000 kilometres, intense fighting is taking place, and 35 clashes have been recorded in the past 24 hours.
Reuters reminds us that Russian forces currently control about 20% of Ukrainian territory. The two-year offensive in the Donetsk region is now progressing the fastest since March 2022.
Since the beginning of August, Ukrainian forces have launched an offensive in the Kursk region in Russia. By the end of that month, the Ukrainian army controlled an area of about 1,245 square kilometres. However, the Russian counterattack, ongoing since September, is gradually reducing the areas acquired by Ukrainian forces.
