The Russian army is already in Kurakhovo – Ukrainian military state that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are ready to withdraw from the city, but there is no order yet – Financial Times

Ukrainian forces are “prepared to retreat” from Kurakhove in the Donetsk region, “but are still awaiting orders from above”.

This information reported according to one Ukrainian artillery commander who spoke to the Financial Times.

He stated that Russian forces are attacking the city from three directions (Ukrainian military social media channels have reported that Russian forces have already entered Kurakhove).

The article cites an assessment by the military analysis center CDS, which suggests that by December “the frontline will likely shift 30-35 kilometers west of its current position.”

To hold the line, Ukraine plans to enlist another 160,000 soldiers between November and February. However, FT notes these targets may be unrealistic.

“Military experts and a senior Kyiv official expressed skepticism about meeting this goal, suggesting that a more realistic expectation is conscripting up to 100,000 people. This would fill roughly half of the personnel shortage,” the article states.

Two Ukrainian commanders reported that they have already started deploying medics and cooks to the infantry.

“Sometimes war demands such things. I have already sent my cooks to the trenches,” one military officer stated.

It is worth noting that military analyst Julian Röpcke of *Bild* recently reported that the Russian army breached the last line of defense east of Kurakhove, advancing over 1,200 meters deeper into the city.