Moscow (Agencies): Russian forces have announced the “full liberation” of Kurakhovo, the largest settlement in southwest Donbass, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The town, which had a population of nearly 19,000 people before the conflict, was a strategically important transport hub.
The ministry stated that the Ukrainian military had fortified Kurakhovo with a network of firing positions and underground communications, making it a challenging target. Despite these defenses, Russian forces managed to capture the town after intense fighting.
The ministry reported that the Ukrainian military suffered significant losses, with over 12,000 troops and around 3,000 units of military hardware, including 40 tanks, being destroyed. The daily casualty rate for Ukrainian forces was between 150 and 180 troops killed or wounded.
The capture of Kurakhovo is expected to complicate logistical support for Ukrainian forces in the Donetsk People’s Republic and prevent artillery shelling of Donetsk, the regional capital. The Russian Defense Ministry also mentioned that the liberation will allow for increased maneuverability and accelerate the liberation of the Donetsk People’s Republic.