Russia Claims Pivdenne in Eastern Ukraine in Continued Donbas Push

Russia's defense ministry announced control over Pivdenne in Donetsk, marking a further step in its slow advance through the Donbas region. Pivdenne, known as Leninskoe by Russia, is near the Ukrainian stronghold of Toretsk. The move follows Russia's recent occupation of villages approaching Pokrovsk.

Russia's defense ministry announced on Tuesday that its forces have taken control of Pivdenne, a settlement in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, marking a significant step in its ongoing push through the industrial Donbas area.

Pivdenne, referred to as Leninskoe by Russia, is situated near Toretsk, a key Ukrainian stronghold and coal mining town. Russia started advancing towards Toretsk in June. According to Ukrainian authorities in 2022, Pivdenne had a pre-war population of 1,404, while Toretsk had around 30,000 residents.

Both towns are located close to the frontline established in 2014 when Russian-backed forces took control of parts of the Donetsk region, including the city of Horlivka, 12 kilometers (7 miles) from Pivdenne. The conflict area also includes Pokrovsk, a significant Ukrainian transport hub located about 70 kilometers (43 miles) west of Toretsk.

Moscow announced on Sunday that its forces had captured the villages of Prohres and Yevhenivka, near Pokrovsk. Russia claims it annexed Donetsk along with three other Ukrainian provinces in September 2022 and demands Kyiv vacate these regions to progress peace talks. Kyiv asserts its aim to reclaim all four regions and expel all Russian soldiers.

(With inputs from agencies.)