Russia is launching infantry and mechanized assaults in the Kurakhove area, which is currently one of the most dangerous zones.

Intense battles for Ukrainian territory continue in the Donbas. According to the words of serviceman and commander of the 24th Separate Assault Battalion "Aidar" Stanislav Bunyatov, with the call sign "Osman", Russian troops assaulted the positions of the Defense Forces with infantry in the Kurakhove direction near Zelenivka on February 8-9.

"They managed to capture a couple of positions, but with heavy losses. This village truly deserves the title of a hero," said Stanislav Bunyatov.

He noted that on the morning of February 10, the Russians "moved in with vehicles in mangals" towards Zelenivka and the settlement of Ulakly. However, Ukrainian fighters are putting up a strong resistance to the enemy. Additionally, it is difficult in Andriivka, according to the words of a fighter, as there are Russians "like cockroaches in a Soviet dormitory."

Meanwhile, a lieutenant of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the call sign "Alex" pointed out that the right flank of the pocket in the area of Zelenivka is confidently held by paratroopers.

"Respect to the guys who are there right now, as they not only withstood the pressure, ensuring the stability of the flank, but also, through counteroffensive actions, recaptured Zelenivka," the officer stated.

Kurakhove Direction: What's Happening on the Front

"Ulakly is an additional direction for the enemy to break through to Andriivka. Before this, they amassed their forces, particularly infantry. Now they have conducted even larger accumulations and are trying to implement them more actively in some areas and less so in others," said Roman Pogorely.

He noted that in that section of the front, everything is "volatile," and enemy activity has always been present—sometimes more, sometimes less.

"The Russians are constantly trying different tactics; they attack in various ways. This does not mean that there is an intensification. Perhaps they simply did not have this equipment before, and they lacked the means to attack," he reported.

According to the analyst, such actions bring no changes to that section. Thus, the Russian Armed Forces are probing and searching for a loophole where they can later attack more vigorously.

"The situation remains very complicated, as the enemy is trying to cut the M-14 highway, which runs from Zaporizhzhia to Donetsk through Kurakhove. There is an advance, but the question is how much longer we will maintain control, as there are too many problems," emphasized Vladislav Seleznev.

Fighting is also taking place in Andriivka, in the direction of Zelenivka, as Russia presses on Constantinople. The expert believes that the Russians aim to close the vice around the Ukrainian garrison concentrated in the Datchne area.

According to a former SBU employee and military expert Ivan Stupak, Russia is an inert country that cannot quickly restructure and change its direction of movement. Thus, in November-December 2024, the Kurakhove direction was a priority for Russia. In particular, there could have been up to 1,400 combat engagements in a month, while in another area—300, the expert compared.

The Importance of the Kurakhove Direction for the Enemy: Russia's Objective

Pogorely noted that the Russian Armed Forces aim to capture the entire Donetsk region. Meanwhile, in the Kurakhove direction, the enemy constantly assaults with small infantry groups. Less frequently, they use various equipment, ranging from cars to BMPs and tanks.

The Russian Armed Forces are attempting to gain control over the entire territory of the Donetsk region, Seleznev pointed out. After capturing Kurakhove, the occupiers continue to push westward.

Pavel Narozhny noted that the Kurakhove direction, like the entire front in the Donetsk region, is important for the enemy.

"They cannot break through to Pokrovsk head-on, so they are trying to maneuver around the flanks. Why? Because a very powerful, serious marine brigade stands at the Pokrovsk direction. The enemy has not had success there for a long time. But, unfortunately, we cannot secure the entire front line and position such units without leaving other sections vulnerable," said the military analyst.

He clarified that the Kurakhove direction is one of the flanks that the occupiers are attempting to pressure.

The expert explained that Pokrovsk is a major transport hub, through which the highway and railway pass. The city is significant, but the road to it can be cut at any point. Wherever this is done, goods will not be able to proceed further. Specifically, near Yelizavetivka, where the enemy has approached this road the closest.

However, Ukrainian fighters are holding the defense and not allowing the enemy to pass. If the Russians break through one of the flanks, it would mean that the city of Pokrovsk would be cut off from supplies. Consequently, it would only be a matter of time before it could hold out.

"The enemy is doing everything possible to cut logistics in this section of the front. Therefore, they are pushing along the flanks to bypass Pokrovsk, capture it, and cut off logistics to Kramatorsk, Sloviansk, and Chasiv Yar," Narozhny summarized.

Stupak reported that in the Kurakhove direction, the Russians are employing cauldron tactics, attempting to encircle from different sides. Additionally, they are taking advantage of the fact that Ukraine is currently depleted in the Kursk region, where new offensives have begun.

"Everyone is happy about this, but no one considers that troops and equipment from the air do not just appear. For them to be present in the Kursk region, they must be taken from somewhere. Again, a hint—where our fronts are starting to sag actively, that is likely where a certain number of servicemen were taken. Our military says that there are not enough people. Where are they? They are in Kursk, and the equipment has also gone to Kursk," added the former SBU employee.

It should be noted that on the night of February 9, analysts from DeepState reported that the Russian Armed Forces advanced in the Donetsk region. In particular, the enemy had successes near three settlements—Zaporizhzhia, Zelenivka, and Andriivka.

On February 8, fighter Stanislav Bunyatov reported that Ukrainian forces are holding the defense in the settlement of Udachne in the Pokrovsk district of the Donbas. According to him, the Russians who reached the Ukrainian forward positions were forced to surrender.