Did Russian Forces Capture Sviato-Pokrovske Settlement in Donetsk?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Russian forces have gained control of Sviato-Pokrovske in Donetsk.
- Russian air defense systems have intercepted multiple aerial threats.
- Drone attacks have caused significant damage to infrastructure.
- The death of a key military leader may influence Russian military strategy.
- Major ports are critical for oil and petroleum exports.
Moscow, December 25 (NationPress) - On Thursday, the Russian Defence Ministry announced that the Southern Group of Forces has successfully seized control of the Sviato-Pokrovske settlement located in the Donetsk region.
“Due to decisive operations, our units have liberated Sviato-Pokrovske in the Donetsk area,” the ministry stated in an official release.
Furthermore, Russian air defense systems successfully intercepted six aerial bombs, a US-made HIMARS rocket, and 472 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles within the special military operation zone during the last 24 hours, according to the ministry, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
In a related incident, two oil storage tanks ignited at the southern port of Temryuk following a drone attack, though no injuries were reported, as per preliminary information from authorities in the Krasnodar region.
The fire covered an area of approximately 2,000 square meters, and 70 personnel along with 18 pieces of equipment are currently engaged in firefighting efforts.
Meanwhile, a separate drone strike occurred overnight, targeting the village of Nikolaevka in the Krasnodar region, causing damage to various industrial structures and agricultural machinery.
Earlier this week, Ukrainian drones also struck the port of Taman in the Volna settlement, leading to damage to two piers and two tankers, along with two storage tanks being compromised due to debris from intercepted drones.
Temryuk and Taman are crucial seaports along the Black Sea, playing a vital role in Russia's oil and petroleum exports.
This week also saw the death of Russian Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, who was killed in a car explosion in Moscow.
According to Russian security agencies, an explosive device was placed beneath his vehicle, detonating on Yasenevaya Street in southern Moscow on Monday. Sarvarov, who led the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces' General Staff, succumbed to his injuries.
An investigation has been initiated into this murder, with authorities considering several potential motives, including possible connections to Ukrainian special services.