The Russian military has launched a surprise attack on Ukrainian positions in the north of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), capturing the village of Kirovsk, the Defense Ministry in Moscow announced on Wednesday. The village, known in Ukraine as Zarechnoye, was transformed into a major stronghold by Ukrainian forces, with “every house and basement converted into well-fortified positions,” according to the ministry’s statement. Approaches to the village were densely mined, complicating Russian advances.

The challenging terrain and Ukrainian forward positions along the Zherebets River, which encircles Kirovsk from the east, further hindered Russian operations. The Ukrainian military deployed up to 19 battalions to defend the stronghold, per Russian estimates. “Units with the troops grouping ‘West’ took advantage of the element of surprise and… immediately crossed the river and penetrated deep into the enemy’s defenses,” the ministry stated, noting that Russian forces have reached the western outskirts of the village.

Current operations involve search-and-destroy missions led by the 63rd Mechanized Brigade to eliminate remaining Ukrainian units. The capture of Kirovsk clears the path for an advance toward Krasny Liman, a critical logistics hub held by Ukrainian forces in the north of the DPR. Located approximately 8 kilometers west of Kirovsk, Krasny Liman was previously captured by Russia but recaptured by Ukraine in late 2022.