UPDATE - Russia says it took control of Sieverne settlement in Ukraine

ADDS COMMENTS FROM UKRAINE

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Moscow said Tuesday that the Russian armed forces took control of the Sieverne settlement in the Avdiivka district of Ukraine's Donetsk region.

"In the Avdiivka direction, units of the Center group of troops liberated the settlement of Sieverne, took more favorable lines and positions," it said in a statement.

The ministry added that in the past day, it shot down a Ukrainian Su-25 fighter jet above the Mykolaiv region, 69 drones and an electronic warfare station, Bukovel AD.

The first of the US-made Abrams tank, spotted on the battlefield earlier, was destroyed earlier in the day, as well as a Bradley armored vehicle, it noted.

Meanwhile, Ukraine attempted another drone attack on the Russian city of Belgorod and three drones were shot down while targeting objects in the city, it said.

"At about 16.30, an attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack using an airplane-type drone against objects on the territory of the Russian Federation was stopped. Three Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed by air defense systems on duty over the territory of the Belgorod region," it said.

Dmitry Likhovoy, spokesman for Ukraine's Tavria group of forces, confirmed in an interview with Ukrainian television stations that Ukrainian troops retreated from Sieverne, located near Avdiivka.

According to Likhovoy, another settlement, Stepove, went under Russia's control as well.

Likhovoy said Ukrainian troops set up the defense line near the Tonenke, Orlivka and Berdychi settlements.

Russia started its "special military operation" in Ukraine in February 2022.