By Elena Teslova
MOSCOW (AA) - Russia claimed on Saturday that its forces captured the settlement of Kalynove in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.
In a statement, the Defense Ministry said an operation was carried out by its Tsentr (Center) group of forces, while other army groups advanced along the frontline.
President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that capturing the entire Donbas region was Moscow’s main aim in the war that was launched in February 2022.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, meanwhile, had said the aim of a surprise incursion into Russia's southern Kursk region last month was to accrue territories for exchange.