17:22 16-01-2026

Russian Forces Take Zakotnoye and Zhovtnevoye in Ukraine

Russian forces take control of Zakotnoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic and Zhovtnevoye in the Zaporozhye Region, reporting heavy Ukrainian losses.

Russian forces have taken control of two населённые пункты — Zakotnoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic and Zhovtnevoye in the Zaporozhye Region, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

The ministry specified that units of the Yug (South) group advanced during active and decisive operations to secure Zakotnoye. In the surrounding area, strikes were carried out against Ukrainian formations, including four mechanized brigades, motorized infantry and assault units, a mountain assault brigade, an airmobile brigade, marine infantry elements, as well as two territorial defense brigades and two National Guard brigades.

Within the Yug group’s area of responsibility, Ukrainian forces reportedly lost more than 1,140 personnel. The ministry also reported the destruction of two tanks, 42 armored combat vehicles, 105 vehicles, 22 artillery systems, eight electronic warfare and counter-battery stations, and 18 depots storing ammunition, fuel, and other materiel.

At the same time, units of the Vostok (East) group took control of Zhovtnevoye in the Zaporozhye Region. During the fighting, strikes were delivered against three Ukrainian mechanized brigades, an air assault formation, three assault brigades, four assault regiments, and a territorial defense brigade.

Losses among Ukrainian formations in this sector were reported to exceed 1,665 personnel. In addition, 30 armored combat vehicles, 74 vehicles, eight field artillery guns, and four ammunition and materiel depots were destroyed, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.