ISTANBUL

Moscow claimed on Tuesday that it took control of a village in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region amid fierce clashes continuing between Russia and Ukraine on the latter's eastern front.

A statement by the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that its troops captured the village of Ivano-Daryivka, located about 59 kilometers (36.6 miles) east of the city of Slovyansk.

The statement further claimed that Russian troops in the area also took control of “more advantageous positions.”

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