A military expert predicts that Russian forces are likely to soon take full control of Kurakhove in Donetsk, which would significantly damage Ukrainian morale and advance Russia’s position in eastern Ukraine.

A military expert suggested in a television interview with China Media Group (CMG) on Tuesday that it may only be a matter of time before Russian troops fully take control of Kurakhove in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

On Monday, the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company reported that the 5th Brigade of the 51st Combined Arms of the Southern Military District of the Russian Federation had entered the center of Kurakhove.

On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared on social media that the Ukrainian army was facing a particularly challenging situation in the Kurakhove area.

Fierce fighting has been ongoing in Kurakhove for more than a month, with the city being a key position for the Ukrainian armed forces. It serves not only as a vital stronghold but also as an important transport and railway hub that supplies Ukrainian troops in the Donbass region.

Additionally, Kurakhove is the last fortified location from which Ukraine’s barreled artillery can directly target Donetsk, making its defense crucial for Ukraine’s position in the region.

For the Russian armed forces, Kurakhove remains the largest city in southwestern Donbass still under Ukrainian control. Seizing the city would allow Russia to advance toward Velyka Novosilka, another significant logistics hub for Ukraine, and position them to launch attacks on the Ukrainian-held Zaporizhzhia region from the east.

In the interview, military expert Zhang Xuefeng remarked that the likelihood of a Russian takeover of Kurakhove was growing, particularly as Russian forces had already reached the city center. He stated that if Russia gains full control of the city, it would significantly impact the morale of the Ukrainian forces and accelerate their defeat in eastern Ukraine. Zhang also noted that the ongoing ground conflicts, especially in the directions of Kursk in western Russia and eastern Ukraine, were highly unfavorable to Ukraine.

Regarding the situation in Kursk, Zhang mentioned that Russia had recaptured about half of the territory previously controlled by Ukrainian forces. In eastern Ukraine, the Russian army had gained control of around 480 square kilometers in October alone, a gain equivalent to the total from previous months. The expert highlighted Russia's capture of the town of Ugledar (Vuhledar) as its most significant victory of the year, following the seizure of Avdiivka near Donetsk.

Zhang concluded by suggesting that if Russia successfully captures Kurakhove, it could mark the end of Ukraine’s defense in southern Donbass.