Ukrainian troops have recaptured two villages in eastern Donetsk region in operations carried out this week, the Ukrainian military has reported.
Units of the 82nd Separate Air Assault Bukovyna Brigade of the Air Assault Forces under Ukrainian Armed Forces liberated Sukhetske settlement in Pokrovsk district in Donetsk, the General Staff of Ukrainian Armed Forces said in a statement on Saturday.
“During assault operations, our soldiers engaged in fierce combat with the enemy numbering over 60 personnel,” the General Staff’s statement reads. The General Staff said Russians suffered “irreparable losses” and a large number of Russian servicemen were taken hostage.
The settlement of Sukhetske is located 12 kilometers from embattled Pokrovsk that has been the focal point of hostilities due to its strategic importance. Being a key logistic hug, the city hosts a railway connection. Earlier this week, Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups infiltrated the center of Pokrovsk and killed several civilians. Ukrainian troops eliminated the group in the counter-attack.
Earlier on Friday, the Ukrainian military reported liberating the settlement of Torske in the Lyman direction of Donetsk region. the operation was carried out by assault groups of 425th Assault Battalion “SKALA” that reportedly inflicted heavy losses on the Russian troops who had been abandoned in the village without any food supplies. Ukrainian troops are holding ground in Donetsk region located in industrial Donbas, despite Russia’s attempt to achieve the rapid seizure of territories that remain under Ukraine’s control
