Ukraine War Update: Russian Advancements in Eastern Ukraine
Russian forces have made significant gains around several settlements in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region. According to data from the open-source intelligence project DeepState, the Kremlin’s troops have progressed in several locations, including Torez, Peschanoye, near Volodariansk (also known as Volodars’k), Baranovka, Solenoe, Slavيان, Petrovka, Novoelizavetovka, and Kurakhovo.
Previous reports have highlighted intense fighting in the areas around Torez and Kurakhovo. Analysts are currently working to confirm the line of contact near Kurakhovo.
Kurakhovo:
On 8 January, Ostap Shevchuk, a spokesperson for the 79th Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, clarified that there is no immediate threat of encirclement for Ukrainian forces to the south of Kurakhovo.
Earlier, DeepState analysts reported that Russian forces had nearly fully occupied the city of Kurakhovo. While Ukrainian troops continue to hold a few observation posts on the city’s outskirts, their influence on the overall situation is limited.
Military-political analyst Alexander Kovalenko believes that the full capture of Kurakhovo is merely a matter of time, given the ongoing pressure from Russian forces in the Kurakhovo salient and their expansion of control near the village of Shumy. Kovalenko suggests that Russia has completed the formation of its southern flank, beyond the settlement of Dalekoye, effectively creating a buffer zone for southward strikes on Kurakhovo.
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