ISTANBUL 

Russia claimed on Monday that it took control of another village in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, as Moscow’s forces draw nearer to the key city of Pokrovsk amid its ongoing offensive in the area.

A statement by the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that its forces captured the village of Pishchane, located almost 8 kilometers (5 miles) southwest of Pokrovsk, a key front in Moscow's offensive in eastern Ukraine.

Russia has frequently claimed territorial gains in recent months, particularly in the Donetsk region, where fighting has intensified around Pokrovsk.

The city serves as a critical logistics hub for Ukraine's military in the region, which shares a border with Russia.

Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on Russia’s claim, and independent verification of the claim is difficult due to the ongoing war since February 2022.