By South China Morning Post | Created at 2025-01-06 09:46:32 | Updated at 2025-01-07 20:20:53
1 day ago
Russia said on Monday its forces had captured the “important logistics hub” of Kurakhove in eastern Ukraine in what would be a key advance after months of steady gains in the area.
Moscow has been pressing hard in eastern Ukraine, and the claimed capture of the industrial town is a major boost for its forces just two weeks before US president-elect Donald Trump comes to power on January 20.
Trump has repeatedly said he will bring a quick end to the war, without saying how.
Both sides are looking to secure a better position on the battlefield before his 20 January inauguration.
The Russian defence ministry said taking Kurakhove, which had held out for many weeks, would enable Moscow’s forces to step up the pace of their advance in Ukraine’s Donetsk region.
Ukrainian forces did not confirm the claim, saying only that Russia was “conducting assault operations in the urban area of Kurakhove”.
