ISTANBUL

The Russian Defense Ministry on Wednesday claimed that its forces have captured two villages in northeastern Ukraine, pushing deeper into Ukrainian positions in both the Sumy and Kharkiv regions.

According to a ministry statement, units of the North military group “advanced deep into the enemy’s defenses” and have taken control over the settlement of Novonikolaevka in Sumy Oblast.

It added that troops from the West group captured the village of Dolgenkoe​​​​​​​ in the Kharkiv region following what it described as “decisive actions.”

Ukrainian authorities made no immediate response, and the claims could not be independently verified due to the ongoing armed conflict.

Moscow’s latest announcement comes as Russian forces intensify pressure along multiple frontlines in the northeast, days after launching a renewed offensive around Vovchansk and border areas.

Kyiv continues to emphasize its defensive operations and says it is inflicting “significant losses” on Russian attackers.

Fighting in the Sumy region, which borders Russia, has recently escalated after months of relative quiet, prompting Ukrainian military officials to warn of a possible new axis of Russian advance.