MOSCOW — Russia announced on Sunday that its forces had seized control of the village of Vozdvyzhenka in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, as part of an ongoing offensive in the area.

According to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry, Vozdvyzhenka, located approximately 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) east of the strategic city of Pokrovsk, is now under Russian control.

Pokrovsk serves as a vital logistics hub for Ukraine’s military operations in the Donetsk region, where fighting has intensified in recent months.

The village of Vozdvyzhenka is also situated about 27 kilometers (16.7 miles) west of Toretsk, an industrial city and a frontline hotspot in the ongoing conflict.

Russia has consistently reported territorial gains in the Donetsk region, a key focus of Moscow’s offensive in eastern Ukraine.

However, Ukrainian authorities have yet to respond to the latest claim, and independent verification remains challenging amid the war.

The Donetsk region continues to be a focal point of fierce clashes, underscoring the protracted nature of the conflict between Russian and Ukrainian forces. — Agencies