Russian forces have not taken control of the Ukrainian town of Kurakhove, despite reports from a US-based think tank.
Ukrainian military analysts say combat is ongoing on the edges of the town. They disagree with the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) which reported that Russian forces had captured Kurakhove.
The fighting in Donetsk Oblast is part of Russia‘s effort to fully occupy two Ukrainian regions before potential peace talks. The situation has escalated ahead of the US presidential inauguration in January, with Russian forces making rapid gains on the ground.