Russia claims control of another village in Donetsk

The Russian military announced that it had taken control of Khromove, a small village on the outskirts of Bakhmut, Donetsk province.

"Russian troops, with the help of air and artillery support, have consolidated their positions along the front line and taken control of the village of Artemovsky," the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on November 29, referring to the village of Khromove in Donetsk.

Khromove village is located northwest of Bakhmut, consisting of a few streets and a few dozen houses.

Ukraine has not commented on this statement.

Russian soldiers in Bakhmut on April 9. Photo: Ria Novosti — Russian soldiers in Bakhmut on April 9. Photo: *Ria Novosti*

Russia took control of Bakhmut in May, after what was considered the bloodiest and longest battle since the conflict broke out in February 2022. Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said that taking control of Bakhmut would allow the country's military to make significant advances.

However, Russian forces have yet to push forward from Bakhmut, a city that analysts say is of little strategic importance.

Bakhmut and its suburbs were destroyed after months of relentless fighting. The late Wagner commander Yevgeny Prigozhin said 20,000 members of the private military force were killed in the campaign for Bakhmut.

Russia annexed Donetsk and three other regions of Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in October 2022 after referendums, although it did not fully control any of the regions. Ukraine and many Western countries criticized and did not recognize Russia's move, saying the referendum was illegal and forced.