ISTANBUL

Russia claimed on Thursday that it took control of another settlement in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, as its offensive in the war-torn country continues despite efforts for a peace deal.

A statement by the Defense Ministry said its forces captured the village of Novoselivka, about 26 kilometers (16 miles) northwest of the strategic town of Velyka Novosilka.

In January, Russia claimed to have seized Velyka Novosilka in the Donetsk region. The town lies near the junction of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk regions.

Russian authorities claimed to have crossed into Dnipropetrovsk for the first time in June, with Kyiv acknowledging Russian presence last month.

Ukrainian authorities did not immediately comment on the latest claim by Moscow, and independent verification is difficult due to the ongoing war.