Ukraine puts occupied Horlivka under fire control: What it means for Russia's forces
Photo: Ukrainian Armed Forces have brought Horlivka under fire control (Getty Images)
Ukrainian forces have established fire control over the Russian-occupied city of Horlivka in the Donetsk region. Russian troops and their vehicles are now coming under regular strikes, according to the 28th mechanized brigade named after the Knights of the Winter Crusade.
"Operators of the Spalakh unmanned systems unit of the 28th Brigade are increasingly striking Russian logistics in the rear. Trucks, cars, ATVs — everything that enters occupied Horlivka burns there," the statement said.
The military noted that the city is located about 35-40 kilometers from Ukrainian positions. While the enemy was previously able to move around there relatively freely, its vehicles are now being hit regularly.
One of the largest Russian-occupied cities, Horlivka in the Donetsk region, is now under fire from Ukrainian drones pic.twitter.com/bD7np6heYq
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) June 4, 2026
Horlivka is one of the largest cities in the Donetsk region and has been under Russian occupation since 2014.
The city was seized by pro-Russian militants in the spring of that year at the beginning of the war in Donbas. Since then, Horlivka has become one of the key rear hubs for Russian forces in the region.
After Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, the city became an important logistics center for the Russian army.
They use Horlivka to move equipment, ammunition, and personnel to various sections of the front line in the Donetsk region.
Why it matters and how it could affect the front
Analyst Nazarii Barchuk of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center told RBC-Ukraine that, according to information published directly by Ukrainian military units and the Ministry of Defense on June 2, the Defense Forces launched a campaign of middle-strike attacks against occupied territories in May this year.
Among the successful outcomes of this campaign has been the establishment of fire control over key logistics routes, including highways connecting Rostov to occupied Crimea. Official statements have also mentioned the Luhansk region.
The fire control over Horlivka can be considered part of this project.
"Horlivka is an important transportation hub for the enemy on the Kostiantynivka axis. It is also used by Russian forces as a base for equipment and personnel within the city," the expert said.
According to him, establishing fire control over the city limits the enemy's ability to supply ammunition, equipment, and personnel directly to the front line and, in particular, to Kostiantynivka, which serves as a fortress on this section of the front.
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"If you look at the maps, you can see the highways from Svitlodarsk to Bakhmut, as well as from Donetsk to Berestok. The enemy likely also uses these routes to organize logistics and move personnel and equipment in this direction," Barchuk added.
If these roads are indeed being used, they are also under the control of the Defense Forces. Perhaps not as critically as Horlivka, but they too are within the strike range of Ukrainian drones.
As a result, the expert noted, Russian logistics supporting operations toward Kostiantynivka have become significantly more complicated, potentially causing delays in offensive actions and limiting the enemy's capabilities in various ways.
Strikes deep behind enemy lines
In recent months, Ukrainian forces have increasingly targeted military facilities, warehouses, equipment, and logistics assets of Russian occupiers deep behind the front line.
Attack drones have played a major role in these operations, allowing strikes on targets dozens of kilometers from the line of combat contact.
Recently, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense and the General Staff launched a separate program called Logistics Lockdown to scale up strikes against Russian rear areas at operational depth.
The Defense Forces currently maintain an advantage in the use of strike drones, with the current ratio at the front standing at 1.3 to 1 in favor of Ukraine.
Ukrainian defenders also seized control of a Russian position using drones and ground robotic systems without the involvement of infantry.
In April, the Defense Forces established control over enemy logistics around Donetsk. All Russian military targets in the area are now subject to destruction.
