ISTANBUL

Russia claimed on Wednesday that it took control of a village near the city of Bakhmut in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.

A statement by the Russian Defense Ministry quoted the press service of its “southern” group of troops saying that they took control of the village of Khromove, which Russia calls Artyomovskoye, while also strengthening their position along the front line with the help of air and artillery support.

The statement further claimed that they also repelled three attacks by Ukrainian forces near Khromove, as well as the settlements of Shumy and Klishchiivka.

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