Russian troops escalate flanking assaults on Kurakhove, targeting key routes

The situation around Kurakhove city in Donetsk Oblast continues to worsen, with the Russians now reaching the city’s outskirts, according to DeepState.

Kurakhove serves as a critical logistical center for Ukrainian forces in southern Donbas. Capturing the town would allow Russian troops to disrupt supply routes essential for sustaining Ukrainian military operations in the region. The town’s location positions it as a gateway for further advances towards Pokrovsk, another vital city in the area. Kurakhove is also home to one of Ukraine’s largest thermal power plants, which historically supplied electricity to much of the Donetsk Oblast.

In the latest report, DeepState experts noted issues with the effective deployment of additional resources that the Ukrainian command is directing to the city.

“If the problem with the flanks is not brought under control, the situation in Kurakhove could soon turn into another disaster,” the analysts added.

They pointed out that the Russians are implementing a large-scale encirclement plan, advancing on the flanks to reach Ukrainian logistics routes. Currently, Russian forces are attacking Ukrainian positions from the north, south, and east.

The north and south are key to the Russians’ flanking attempts. The occupiers aim to secure fire control over the H15 highway between Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk, enabling them to target any movement.

“Should the Russians gain access to the H15, that section will become the most dangerous area,” DeepState highlighted.

The experts said that in the north, the occupiers focused on the village of Sontsivka, even entering it at one point, though Russian infantry there was destroyed.

“Constant pressure from small groups, which attempt to hide and regroup if they survive, will sooner or later allow them to gain a foothold,” DeepState warned.

The Russians have made advances on the eastern side, reaching the city’s outskirts and attempting to establish and reinforce positions.

Earlier, Oleh Drymalovskyi, spokesperson for the 79th Air Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces, said that Russian forces are attempting to encircle Kurakhove, as per UNIAN.

He noted that the occupiers are trying to encircle the city, forming a pincer movement and intensifying the use of strike drones and FPV drones in Kurakhove and routes towards the city.

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