In the midst of ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, Russia has claimed control of Kurakhove, a crucial town in the Donetsk region that has suffered relentless shelling for months. However, Ukraine is pushing back, maintaining that the town is still partially under its control, despite the dire situation.
On Monday, Russia announced that it had taken Kurakhove after months of heavy fighting. Yet, a Ukrainian military spokesperson, Viktor Tregubov, confirmed that fierce battles are still taking place, particularly on the western outskirts of the town. “The situation is indeed difficult, with much of the town destroyed,” Tregubov admitted. “But Ukrainian forces are holding on in the west.”
The destruction in Kurakhove is unimaginable. Russian forces have been relentlessly bombarding the area, and footage recently surfaced showing Russian soldiers raising their flag in the town. However, Ukrainian war trackers, including DeepState, which has strong military ties, suggest that Kurakhove remains contested, with much of the town now under Russian control.
Ukrainian journalist Yuriy Butusov did not mince words, calling the town “effectively lost.” Butusov, however, acknowledged that some resistance is still ongoing, particularly in the industrial zones in the west of the town. Despite this, he was critical of Ukraine’s decision to continue defending the area given the heavy losses and unfavourable casualty ratios.
The fall of Kurakhove could mirror the losses seen in other towns like Soledar, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Vuhledar areas that were all decimated in prolonged Russian offensives before eventually being captured. According to Tregubov, the Russian tactic in Kurakhove is no different. “They are trying to destroy everything, even low-rise buildings,” he said, adding that this destruction makes it increasingly difficult for Ukraine to defend its position.
Meanwhile, Russia’s main focus in the Donetsk region has shifted towards Pokrovsk, a city about 15 miles to the north. This strategic location is vital to Russia’s supply lines in the region, and Moscow’s forces have been inching closer to the city after months of costly advances.
On a different front, Ukraine has made significant strides in the Kursk region, located on the Russian border. After a surprise counterattack launched over the weekend, Ukrainian forces have started to gain ground, advancing in the region and fortifying positions. The Ukrainian General Staff confirmed these offensive operations on Tuesday, signalling a renewed push in the area.
Since the start of the cross-border attack last August, Ukraine has managed to reclaim much of the Kursk region, but Russia has countered by shrinking Ukraine’s hold by half. The majority of the fighting in the area now centres around the city of Sudzha, the only city in Kursk still controlled by Ukraine.
The battle for these strategic locations, both in Kurakhove and Kursk could play a pivotal role in future peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. As both sides continue to assert control over contested territories, the struggle for eastern Ukraine rages on.
