Russia claims it took over 7 settlements in Ukraine’s Donetsk region

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russia announced on Friday that its forces have taken control of over seven Ukrainian settlements in eastern Donetsk region over past week as Moscow continues to advance on various fronts in the country’s east.

According to a Russian Defense Ministry statement, Karlivka, Kirove, Prechystivka, Ptyche, Skuchne, Zavitne, and Zhuravka in the Donetsk region went under Russia's control.

"In total, 642 airplanes and 283 helicopters, 31,068 unmanned aerial vehicles, 578 air defense missile systems, 17,947 tanks and other armored fighting vehicles, 1,446 combat vehicles equipped with Multiple Launch Rocket System, 14,158 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 25,735 units of support motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation," it said.

Ukrainian officials have yet to respond to Russia's claim, and independent confirmation of the development remains difficult due to the ongoing conflict.

In recent months, Russia has regularly reported taking control of additional settlements as it continues its offensive in the Donetsk region, particularly in the Pokrovsk front.