On Sunday, Russia’s Defence Ministry reported that its troops had seized the village of Urozhaine in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region. The village, a focal point of intense fighting, had been reclaimed by Ukrainian forces during their counteroffensive in the summer of 2023.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense’s Telegram channel, the “east” group of forces successfully seized Urozhaine and is currently conducting mopping-up and demining operations. The ministry’s statement indicated the loss of up to 155 Ukrainian servicemen and various pieces of military equipment during the operation.Â
Urozhaine, situated near the border with Zaporizhzhia, had changed hands multiple times during the conflict. Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar confirmed that Ukrainian forces had liberated the village in August 2023 after Russian troops initially seized it early in the February 2022 invasion. However, the recent push by Russian forces has led to its reported recapture.
Russia apparently retook the village of Urozhaine in southern Donetsk Oblast as of July 13.
The Ukrainian analytical project DeepState reported that Russia launched an attack with two companies at Urozhaine. At this point in the war, it’s rare to see either side attacking even… https://t.co/ttIMRh68S2 pic.twitter.com/moTMQDfBTE
— John Hardie (@JohnH105) July 15, 2024
The Ukrainian General Staff did not confirm the loss of Urozhaine but mentioned 18 Russian attacks in the Vremivsk sector, which includes the village. Lieutenant Colonel Nazar Voloshyn, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Khortytsia forces, indicated that “real battles” were ongoing, with Kyiv withholding official comments on the situation. Ukrainian war blog Deep State reported a significant Russian assault on the northern part of the village, later claiming that Russian forces had taken control.
The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted geolocated footage suggesting Russian advances into Urozhaine. Meanwhile, Russia’s state news agency Tass reported Ukrainian troop withdrawals from the village center.
The significance of Urozhaine lies in its proximity to Staromaiorske and other contested areas within Donetsk, where both sides have been vying for control.Â
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