ISTANBUL

Russia claimed on Sunday that its forces took over another settlement in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.

A Russian Defense Ministry statement said its forces captured the village of Izmailivka, located some 28 kilometers (17.3 miles) southeast of the city of Pokrovsk, a major front in Moscow’s ongoing offensive in eastern Ukraine.

Izmailivka is located about 9 km (5.6 mi) northeast of Kurakhove, which houses a thermal power station.

Russia has frequently reported gains in recent months as it continues its offensive in Donetsk, with the area around Pokrovsk seeing heightened activity.

The city serves as a key logistics hub for Ukraine’s army in the Donetsk region, which borders Russia.

Donetsk saw Russian-backed separatist efforts from 2014 to 2022, before the current war began 2 1/2 years ago.

Ukrainian authorities have yet to comment on Russia’s claim, and independent verification of the claim is difficult due to the war.