Russia claims it retook control of another settlement in Kursk region from Ukraine

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) — Russia on Friday claimed that its forces recaptured the village of Novaya Sorochina, which Ukraine had taken during last year’s incursion.

According to the Defense Ministry, Novaya Sorochina is the fourth village reclaimed by Russian forces this week as part of an operation conducted by the Sever (North) group.

The ministry claimed further military advances in Ukraine's east, saying four Ukrainian settlements had been captured over the past week in the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions.

During the same period, Russian air defense systems shot down a Ukrainian MiG-29 aircraft, 13 French-made Hammer guided bombs, 20 American JDAM guided bombs, nine US-made HIMARS rockets, 42 Czech-made Vampire multiple rocket launchers, and 702 drones, the ministry said.

Ukraine has yet to comment on Russia’s claims, and independent verification remains difficult due to the ongoing conflict.

Meanwhile, Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov inspected preparations of Russia's Zapad (West) group of forces in the combat zone on Friday, according to the statement.

Gerasimov, who received a briefing from the commander of the group, issued directives for further actions, and presented awards, the ministry added.