Russia claims control of 2 more settlements in Ukraine

The Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday that its forces have taken control of two more Ukrainian settlements.

In a statement, the ministry said the village of Hraniv in the Kharkiv region and Vozdvyzhivka in the Zaporizhzhia region were captured.

Meanwhile, a local state of emergency was declared in the Russian city of Taganrog after a Ukrainian drone attack damaged a city boiler house, according to authorities.

Ukraine has yet to comment on Russia's claims, and independent verification remains difficult due to the ongoing conflict.