ISTANBUL 

Russia's Defense Ministry claimed Thursday that its forces had seized control of the Shcherbinovka and Iskra settlements in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.

According to the ministry, the “South” troop unit took Shcherbinovka, while the “Vostok” troop group seized Iskra, inflicting heavy losses on Ukrainian forces in multiple sectors.

It claimed that Ukrainian units suffered hundreds of casualties and lost tanks, artillery systems, electronic warfare stations, and other military equipment.

According to the statement, Russian forces targeted Ukrainian troop positions, ammunition depots, and foreign mercenary sites in 147 locations, while air defense units allegedly destroyed four guided bombs and over 260 drones.

Ukraine has not responded to the claims, and the battlefield situation could not be independently verified.

Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine in February 2022, with fighting concentrated in the eastern and southern regions since late 2023.