Russia claims capture of two villages in eastern Ukraine

One of the two villages is close to Kurakhové, which Russia has almost surrounded. This is a key sector for Moscow to control the entire Donetsk region.

A territorial gain for Moscow's forces. Russian troops have captured two new villages in eastern Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry announced on Sunday December 22.

According to the ministry, Russian troops have “released” the villages of Lozova, in the Kharkiv region, and Krasnoye, a locality called Sontsivka in Ukraine. Krasnoye is close to the Kurakhové resource center, which Russia has almost surrounded and which constitutes a key sector for Moscow for control of the entire Donetsk region.

Russian troops say they have captured more than 190 Ukrainian towns this year. Opposite, kyiv is trying to put up a front, despite the shortage of manpower and ammunition. Russia has accelerated its advance into eastern Ukraine in recent months, seeking to gain as much territory as possible before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes power in January. The Republican promised to quickly end this conflict, without however making a concrete proposal for a ceasefire or a peace agreement.