MOSCOW: Russia’s defence ministry claimed on Tuesday that its forces have captured the eastern Ukrainian town of Selydove, marking another advance for Moscow’s troops as they push closer to the strategically significant logistics hub of Pokrovsk.
Selydove, located approximately 18 kilometers southeast of Pokrovsk, has become Russia’s latest gain in the conflict, following months of intense fighting in the contested Donetsk region.
In a statement, the Russian defence ministry confirmed that “the town of Selidovo in the Donetsk region is fully liberated” through what it called “successful operations,” employing the Russian spelling for Selydove.
The town’s capture comes shortly after Moscow’s forces reportedly seized two nearby villages, Bogoyavlenka and Katerynivka, along with the small town of Girnyk. These settlements are located south of Selydove, close to the industrial town of Kurakhove, which remains under Ukrainian control.
Prior to the conflict, Selydove had a population of around 20,000 and was notable for housing the Donetsk region’s last Ukrainian-controlled coal mine, which continued its operations despite the frontline risks. The mine has served as a crucial resource for Ukraine, particularly for the Donetsk area’s energy needs.
Moscow’s forces reportedly seized a record 478 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory in October, according to data from the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
