Russian military forces have seized control of three additional villages in eastern Ukraine, according to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry on Friday.
The latest advances mark a significant extension of Russian territorial gains in the Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kharkiv regions, even as Ukrainian forces intensify their operations within Russian territory.
The captured settlements include Novozhelanne, located between Donetsk and Pokrovsk, Synkivka in the Kharkiv region, and Kostyantynivka in Donetsk.
The latter, while sharing its name with a larger city in the same region under Ukrainian control, is a smaller village that now falls under Russian jurisdiction.
The Russian Defense Ministry claims that its forces have made substantial progress in recent months, overtaking numerous Ukrainian towns and villages. This expansion is part of a broader strategy aimed at gaining control over strategic areas in the conflict zone.
The recent territorial acquisitions come as part of a concerted effort to capture key logistic hubs, particularly the town of Pokrovsk, which has become a focal point of intense combat.
Ukrainian officials have acknowledged the challenging situation in Pokrovsk. Oleksandr Syrsky, Ukraine’s top military commander, described the fighting in the area as “intense” and “difficult,” with Russian forces reportedly trying to breach Ukrainian defenses.
Despite the challenges, Syrsky affirmed that Ukrainian troops continue to push forward in Russia’s southwestern Kursk region.
Earlier this week, Ukraine claimed to have taken control of 100 towns and villages near the border in the Kursk region. This counteroffensive by Ukrainian forces aims to disrupt Russian control and shift the momentum of the conflict.
The ongoing hostilities reflect the broader and increasingly complex nature of the conflict, with both sides engaging in significant military operations across various fronts.
While Russian forces focus on expanding their control in eastern Ukraine, Ukrainian troops are also actively challenging Russian positions within Russian territory, highlighting the fluid and unpredictable nature of the conflict.
As the situation evolves, international observers continue to monitor the developments closely.
The capture of additional Ukrainian settlements by Russian forces and the persistent Ukrainian counteroffensive underscore the high stakes and enduring volatility of the ongoing conflict in the region.