ISTANBUL: Russia on Wednesday claimed that it took control of two settlements in Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions as Moscow's offensive in eastern Ukraine continues. A statement by the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that its forces captured the village of Krasnyi Yar, located about 12 kilometers (7.4 miles) east of Pokrovsk, a major front in the Donetsk region. Russia has frequently reported gains in recent months as it continues its offensive in Donetsk, with the frontline 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. The statement further claimed that it also took control of the village of Nevske in the Luhansk region, located about 24 kilometers (15 miles) northeast of the city of Lyman. Ukraine's General Staff claimed in an earlier statement that it prevented Russian forces from breaching the country's defenses near Nevske on the Lyman front, and repelled Russian offensives near Krasnyi Ya r on the Pokrovsk front. However, Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on Russia's recent claims, and independent verification of the claims is difficult due to the ongoing war.??????? Source: Anadolu Agency