ISTANBUL

Russia claimed on Thursday that its forces took control of two more settlements in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.

According to a statement issued by the country’s Defense Ministry, its forces captured the village of Pavlivka, situated about 26 kilometers (16 miles) south of the city of Kramatorsk, the region’s administrative center since Russia took control of the city of Donetsk in 2014.

It further claimed that its forces captured the village of Fedorivka Druha, located about 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) east of Kramatorsk.

Earlier, Ukraine’s General Staff claimed in a statement that Russian forces launched 32 assaults near eight settlements of the Kostiantynivka front, including the village of Sofiivka, about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) south of Pavlivka.

It also claimed Russian forces launched seven assaults near five settlements of the Kramatorsk front, including the village of Nykyforivka, situated about 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) east of Fedorivka Druha.

However, Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on Russia’s recent claims, and independent verification of the claims is difficult due to the ongoing war.