On Monday, Russia’s Defence Ministry reported that its forces had captured two villages in eastern Ukraine, marking the second day in succession of Moscow’s announcement of new localities.
In a statement, the Russian ministry said, “Forces were in control of the settlement of Stepova Novoselivka in the Kharkiv region and of Novopokrovske in the Donetsk region”.
The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported, “Troops had repelled 17 attacks in the Kupiansk sector near Kharkiv, including by Stepova Novoselivka”.
It went on to say that fighting was raging near Synkivka, further west.
Donetsk and Kharkiv villages remain focal points along the 1,000-km (600-mile) front line in Ukraine’s east and south.
The Ukrainian military earlier claimed to have repelled Russian attacks near two towns in the Donetsk region, Novooleksandrivka, and Spirne.
The Pokrovsk front has been identified as the theatre of the fiercest fighting, with 44 Russian assaults repelled in the last 24 hours and 14 clashes still ongoing.
Russia maintained a military presence across the border from Ukraine’s northern Chernihiv and Sumy regions, increasing the density of minefields and conducting sabotage activities.
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