Russia claims capture of 8 Ukrainian settlements in past 24 hours

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - The Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Friday that its forces gained control of eight Ukrainian settlements over the past 24 hours amid ongoing fighting across multiple fronts.

In a statement, the ministry said the latest advance included the capture of Novoboykivske in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region by Russia’s Dnepr group of forces.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian news agency Unian, citing outlets Reporting from Ukraine and Euromaidan Press, said that Ukraine and Moldova have fully blocked all supply routes to the Russian military contingent stationed in the breakaway Transnistria region as of Jan. 1.

According to the reports, approximately 1,500 Russian military personnel in Transnistria have been cut off from fuel, ammunition and regular supplies.

The report said airspace has been closed, land logistics halted, and that any movement is now possible only with permission from both Ukraine and Moldova.

Transnistria, a narrow strip of land along Moldova’s eastern border with Ukraine, has been de facto outside Chisinau’s control since a brief armed conflict in 1992. The region is home to a population largely composed of Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking residents.

Neither Moscow nor Kyiv has officially commented on the claims regarding the supply blockade. Independent verification of battlefield and logistical developments remains difficult due to the ongoing conflict.