ISTANBUL

Russia claimed on Wednesday that it took control of another settlement in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed in a statement on Telegram that its forces captured the village of Nykyforivka, about 24 kilometers (15 miles) east of the cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.

The village is also about 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) east of the settlement of Fedorivka Druha, which Russia claimed it captured on Thursday.

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