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

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia claimed on Thursday that it took control of two more settlements in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, where its forces are said to have made swift advances.

A statement by the Defense Ministry said its forces took control of the village of Zelenivka, about 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) west of the city of Kurakhove, a key Ukrainian stronghold in the region that houses a thermal power plant.

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.

The statement said Russian forces also captured the village of Novyi Komar, just five kilometers (3.1 miles) north of the front line settlement of Velyka Novosilka.

Ukraine's General Staff claimed in an earlier statement that Russian forces attempted 25 assaults near six settlements in the Vremivka front, including Novyi Komar and Velyka Novosilka.

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