By MOSCOW — The Russian Defense Ministry announced Tuesday that its forces have captured the town of New York in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region, marking another territorial gain in Moscow’s ongoing invasion of the country.
In its statement, the ministry referred to the settlement by its former name, Novgorodskoye, describing it as “one of the largest settlements of the Toretsk agglomeration and a strategically important logistics hub.” New York, which had a pre-war population of approximately 10,000, represents the latest in a series of Russian advances in the hotly contested Donetsk region.
This capture follows Monday’s announcement by Russian forces of their takeover of the nearby town of Zalizne, indicating a concerted push in the area. The Donetsk region, along with three other Ukrainian territories, was claimed by Moscow in a 2022 annexation, despite Russia’s lack of full control over these areas. International observers widely consider these annexations illegal under international law.
The ongoing conflict in Donetsk has been characterized by some of the most intense fighting since Russia’s full-scale invasion began two and a half years ago. Ukrainian forces have faced significant challenges in maintaining their defensive positions along the front line, grappling with reported shortages in manpower and ammunition after prolonged periods of attritional warfare.
Ukrainian authorities had initiated a counteroffensive in Russia’s Kursk region, hoping to alleviate pressure on other parts of the battlefield. However, this strategy appears to have had limited impact on slowing the Russian advance in Donetsk.
The town of New York has a complex history tied to the conflict. It first became a front-line settlement in 2014 when Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine attempted to secede from Kyiv’s control. The origin of the town’s unusual name remains a subject of debate, with some theories suggesting possible American connections among its founders.
During the Soviet era, the town was renamed “Novgorodskoye” (New City) in 1951 for ideological reasons. In a symbolic move, Ukrainian lawmakers voted to restore the name New York in 2021, shortly before the current phase of the conflict escalated.
The capture of New York, if confirmed, could have strategic implications for both sides. Its designation as a logistics hub by Russian forces suggests it may play a role in supplying and supporting further military operations in the region.
As the conflict continues to evolve, with territorial control shifting between the opposing forces, the international community remains concerned about the humanitarian impact on civilian populations and the potential for further escalation. The situation in eastern Ukraine continues to be a focal point of diplomatic efforts and global attention.
The Ukrainian government has not yet publicly responded to Russia’s claims about New York’s capture. As with many developments in the ongoing conflict, independent verification of military claims remains challenging due to the fluid nature of the front lines and restricted access for international observers.
