MELITOPOL, December 19. /TASS/. Units of the Ukrainian armed forces in the city of Kurakhovo in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) are attempting to receive reinforcements, having been ordered by their command to hold positions until US President-elect Donald Trump assumes office on January 20, Vladimir Rogov, chairman of the Russian Civic Chamber’s commission on sovereignty, patriotic projects and veteran support, told TASS.

"Ukrainian units in Kurakhovo were ordered to remain in position before Trump’s inauguration by all means, so that the Ukrainian armed forces are present there up until this event. Currently, additional units are deployed to Kurakhovo, with one of the identified groups being the Skala volunteer assault battalion," he said.

According to the official, Russian assault teams in the city continue to advance westward. "Several hundred Ukrainian militants remain on the territory of the thermal power plant in Kurakhovo. Some units retreated to the cemetery and are trying to establish a foothold there; it is not the first time that we witness attempts to hold positions in cemeteries, like in Rabotino in the Zaporozhye Region, and it never helps them in any way," he noted.