By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia on Monday claimed that its army has taken control of two settlements in eastern Ukraine with advances in both the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions.

According to a Russian Defense Ministry statement, units of the “West” military group have established control over the village of Borovskaya Andreevka in the Kharkiv region through “active actions.”

It added that troops from the “Center” group launched an offensive to seize Moskovskoe in the Donetsk region and entered the eastern districts of Dimitrov, where “fighting continues in residential areas.”

According to the ministry, Russian tactical aviation, drones, missile forces, and artillery struck Ukrainian military-industrial facilities, ammunition depots, and troop positions in more than 140 areas.

The statement also claimed the destruction of a US-made HIMARS launcher and several guided aerial bombs and drones.

The Ukrainian side has not confirmed or commented on the Russian claims and independent verification is difficult due to the ongoing conflict.