ISTANBUL

Russia claimed on Monday that it advanced in the city of Pokrovsk in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, where intense clashes have continued for over a year.

A statement by the Defense Ministry said its forces “entered and consolidated” their positions in ​​the city’s Prigorodny neighborhood, adding that clashes continue near its railway station and industrial zone.

Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his forces maintain control over the situation at the frontline city, rejecting claims of its encirclement.

Moscow has repeatedly asserted territorial gains in its offensive toward the embattled city.

Pokrovsk serves as a critical logistics hub for Ukraine’s military operations in the Donetsk region.

Ukrainian authorities did not immediately comment on Russia’s recent claim, and independent verification is difficult due to the conflict, which started in February 2022.

The ministry also claimed launching overnight airstrikes targeting military industrial facilities, Ukrainian gas and energy facilities that supported their operation, military airfield infrastructure, and a weapons and military equipment repair facility.

Ukrainian authorities, meanwhile, reported overnight airstrikes across various regions, including the northeastern Sumy region, where one person was killed in the settlement of Trostianets, as well as the southern Mykolaiv region, where energy infrastructure was damaged and power cuts were recorded in 12 settlements.

Both Russia and Ukraine have stepped up strikes on each other’s energy infrastructure in recent months as winter approaches.

Ukraine's General Staff claimed in an earlier statement that it launched an overnight the Saratov Oil Refinery overnight, hitting the facility.

Saratov Governor Roman Busargin warned had warned about a drone attack threat in the region, but made no mention of the facility or any consequences from the attack.

The Russian Defense Ministry separately said its air defenses intercepted 64 Ukrainian drones overnight, of which 29 were downed over Saratov region.