ISTANBUL

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

A statement by the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that its forces had captured Nove, situated about 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) north of the city of Lyman and about 38 km (23.6 miles) northeast of the city of Sloviansk.

Earlier, Ukraine’s General Staff claimed on Telegram that its forces had repelled 21 assaults by Russian troops near six settlements along the Lyman front, including Nove.

However, Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on the recent claim, and independent verification of Russia’s claim is difficult due to the ongoing armed conflict, now in its fourth year.