The Russian military has captured the village of Kirovsk, a key stronghold previously held by Ukrainian forces, according to the Defense Ministry in Moscow. The operation, described as a rapid strike, marks a significant shift in control in the north of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR).
Ukrainian forces had transformed the Russian-claimed village, known as Zarechnoye in Ukraine, into a heavily fortified position, with “every house and basement converted into well-fortified positions,” the ministry stated. The area was further protected by dense mining of approaches and defensive lines along the Zherebets River. However, these measures were insufficient to repel the Russian advance.
The Ukrainian military deployed up to 19 battalions to defend Kirovsk, a decision that has been widely criticized for its failure to anticipate the scale of the Russian assault. Units under the “West” grouping exploited the element of surprise, crossing the river and breaching enemy defenses, according to the ministry.
Russian troops are now conducting search and destroy operations in Kirovsk, targeting remnants of Ukrainian forces associated with the 63rd Mechanized Brigade. The capture of Kirovsk paves the way for an offensive on Krasny Liman, a critical logistics hub currently held by Ukrainian forces. The town, located 8km west of Kirovsk, was previously captured by Russia but recaptured by Ukraine in late 2022.