Russian Forces Gain Control of Urozhaine in Eastern Ukraine

Russia's Defence Ministry announced the capture of Urozhaine in Ukraine's Donetsk region. Ukrainian bloggers confirmed Kyiv's forces withdrew, though fighting continues. The village changed hands several times since 2022. Ukraine's counter-offensive showed limited progress. Russian control was also reported by DeepState blog as a defence collapse for Ukraine.

Russia's Defence Ministry said on Sunday that its forces had taken control of the village of Urozhaine in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, marking a noteworthy gain following the capture of Avdiivka in February.

Ukrainian bloggers confirmed that Kyiv's forces had relinquished control of Urozhaine, which lies southwest of the Russian-held city of Donetsk. Ukraine's military highlighted ongoing battles in the vicinity. 'As a result of successful actions, the 'east' group of forces has taken control of the locality of Urozhaine in Donetsk region...and are carrying out mopping-up and demining operations,' stated the Russian Defence Ministry on Telegram.

Reuters was unable to independently verify the claims from both Ukraine and Russia. The village had been under Russian control since the February 2022 invasion but was briefly recaptured by Ukraine in July 2023. This operation is part of Ukraine's broader counter-offensive along a 1,000-km front line that has seen limited success. The General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces reported 18 Russian attacks on Urozhaine and nearby locations on Sunday but did not mention the village later.

DeepState, a well-known Ukrainian military blog, corroborated Urozhaine's capture by Russian forces, describing heavy assaults on the village's southern part and termed it a 'defence collapse' that needs investigation.

(With inputs from agencies.)