Russian troops have made a breakthrough in a key city in the Donetsk region according to Ukraine's armed forces.
Lieutenant Colonel Nazar Voloshyn, spokesman for Ukraine's Khortytsia operational-strategic group of troops fighting on the front line, said Russian assault groups had advanced into Krasnohorivka, west of the city of Donetsk, and entered the site of an industrial plant.
"Thanks to the efforts of our units, including the 59th brigade, the enemy was blocked and is still there," Voloshyn told Ukraine's Army TV, as reported by Ukrainian media outlets.
"Our defenders fully control both Krasnohorivka and the outskirts of the settlement," he added.
He said that Russia's forces are cut off from ammunition supplies and that its troops were also storming the town of Netaylove 10 miles further north and trying to advance on the eastern part of nearby Pervomaiske, although he insisted "our soldiers are repelling them."
One Russian milblogger said that Moscow's forces had broken through Ukrainian defenses in the east of Krasnohorivka, completely capturing one street, although the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said Wednesday there was no visual confirmation of this claim.
Other Russian milbloggers gave accounts on Telegram of the latest situation in the city, which come as Russian forces' momentum continues in Donetsk Oblast amid assessments that they are seeking to capture the city of Chasiv Yar, which would be a springboard into other settlements in the region.
"In Krasnohorivka, the main battles are at the plant, where most of it is ours, but the mop-up operation is still underway, the enemy is sitting tight," wrote "Voenkor Kotenyok."
Meanwhile, the ISW said in its daily update that Moscow's forces had made marginal gains west of Donetsk City but there were no changes to the front line where elements of Russia's 238th Artillery Brigade are operating.
It comes as a Ukrainian airstrike on Thursday in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, by the border with Ukraine, left eight people injured and damaged buildings and vehicles, according to regional governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov.
Russia continues to fire Shahed-type drones toward Ukraine, launching at least 20 of the devices overnight Wednesday from occupied Crimea. Ukraine's Air Force said it intercepted 17 of the drones over Odesa Oblast, without revealing whether the attack had caused damage.
Newsweek has contacted the Russian defense ministry for comment.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Brendan Cole is a Newsweek Senior News Reporter based in London, UK. His focus is Russia and Ukraine, in particular ... Read more
