The Russian Defence Ministry announced on Monday that its forces have taken control of the town of Zalizne, located in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. This capture marks a substantial advancement in Russia’s offensive towards the nearby city of Toretsk, a significant stronghold for Ukrainian forces operating in the Donbas region.
Zalizne, known by its Soviet-era name of Artyomovo, sits directly adjacent to Toretsk. It is a mining town that previously held a population of around 5,000. Toretsk, a larger town with a pre-war population of roughly 30,000, has served as a key anchor point for Ukrainian defenses in the Donbas since the outbreak of the conflict. Its proximity to territories seized by Russian-backed separatists in 2014 has made it a strategically important location.
The capture of Zalizne comes as Russia intensifies its offensive efforts in the Donbas region, focusing on two key objectives: Toretsk and Pokrovsk. Pokrovsk is another strategic stronghold in the Donetsk region. While Russia is pushing towards these targets, Ukrainian forces are conducting a cross-border offensive, aiming to make gains in the Russian region of Kursk.
This development signifies a continued escalation of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, with both sides actively pursuing their strategic goals. The capture of Zalizne represents a significant victory for Russia, bringing them closer to their objective of controlling Toretsk and potentially expanding their presence in the Donbas region.
