Russia claims capture of town in Ukraine’s Donetsk region

A soldier holds up a Russian flag in Kurakhove, Donetsk Region, Ukraine in this screen grab taken from a social media video released on Jan. 5, 2025, obtained by Reuters. (Social Media/via REUTERS)

Russia’s military said Monday its forces captured an important town in eastern Ukraine, while Ukrainian officials cited tens of thousands of Russian casualties in the fighting in Russia’s Kursk region.