Russia claims control of 2 more settlements in Ukraine's Donetsk region

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia claimed on Wednesday that it took control of two more settlements in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.

A statement by the Defense Ministry said its forces captured the villages of Trudove and Stari Terny, about 11 and seven kilometers (6.8 and 4.3 miles) respectively from the city of Kurakhove, a key Ukrainian stronghold in the region that houses a thermal power plant.

The statement came a day after Moscow claimed control of Hannivka, a village located 3.5 kilometers (2.5 miles) east of Trudove.

Russia has frequently reported gains in recent months as it continues its offensive in Donetsk, with the area around Pokrovsk and Kurakhove seeing heightened military activity.

Ukraine’s General Staff claimed in an earlier statement that its forces repelled 28 attacks in the Kurakhove front, with Russian forces trying to advance towards multiple settlements in the area, including Stari Terny.

Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on Russia’s claims, and independent verification is difficult due to the ongoing war.​​​​​​​