Russia Captures Key Village Near Kurakhove in Eastern Ukraine.

Russian forces have reportedly captured the village of Zoryane in eastern Ukraine, bringing them closer to the industrial hub of Kurakhove, according to a statement released by Russia’s defence ministry on Saturday.

Kurakhove, located west of the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk, is considered a key target for Moscow’s ongoing military offensive. The defence ministry confirmed, “The locality of Zoryane… has been liberated,” signaling significant progress for Russian troops, who are now just a few kilometres from the center of Kurakhove.

The strategic town of Kurakhove, which had a population of about 20,000 before the Russian invasion in early 2022, lies south of Pokrovsk, an important logistics hub. The capture of Zoryane marks a critical step in Russia’s push toward Kurakhove as part of its larger campaign in the Donetsk region.

Simultaneously, Russian forces have intensified attacks in the southern Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia, escalating tensions further in the ongoing conflict.

The developments come amid growing international concerns, with world leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, urging continued support for Ukraine as the war drags on.

The situation remains fluid, as both sides continue to vie for control in key areas of eastern and southern Ukraine.