MELITOPOL, December 10. /TASS/. The Russian Armed Forces have gained control over a stronghold near the settlement of Uspenovka, south of Kurakhovo in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), disrupting the supply of Ukrainian forces in the settlement of Annovka, Vladimir Rogov, chairman of a Russian Civic Chamber committee, told TASS.
"Regarding the pocket [of resistance] to the south of Kurakhovo: we have made progress in the Uspenovka area, with another stronghold captured, which further limits the path for the supply to the now practically doomed garrison in Annovka that the Ukrainian armed forces still somewhat support," he said.
According to the official, Ukrainian units in this section of the frontline are currently in control of Annovka, a small area surrounding it, and Uspenovka, through which they are receiving supplies. The road connecting these two settlements is under the control of the Russian army.
On October 9, Rogov told TASS that the settlement of Vesyoly Gai, located one kilometer (0.6 miles) to the south of Annovka, was being mopped up from Ukrainian forces. According to him, on October 6, Russian troops had entered the outskirts of Uspenovka, threatening the 1,500-strong Ukrainian battlegroup in the settlements of Annovka and Vesyoly Gai with encirclement.