Russia claims control of 3 more settlements in Ukraine

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia on Friday claimed its forces have taken control of three settlements across two regions of Ukraine, according to a statement by the Russian Defense Ministry.

The ministry said Russian troops captured the villages of Ternuvate and Richne in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region.

Ternuvate lies about 21 kilometers (13 miles) northwest of the frontline town of Huliaipole, while Richne is located roughly 13 kilometers (8 miles) from Zaporizhzhia city’s southern Kosmichnyi district, the regional administrative center.

Russia said it captured Huliaipole late last month, a claim denied by Ukrainian authorities.

The ministry also claimed Russian forces seized the village of Berestok in the eastern Donetsk region. Berestok is located less than 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the southern outskirts of the industrial city of Kostiantynivka.

Ukrainian officials have not commented on the claims. Independent verification remains difficult due to ongoing fighting, as the war approaches its fifth year next month.