Russia Claims Seizure of Eastern Ukrainian Villages Amid Kyiv's Denials
Moscow announced on Friday that its military forces have secured several frontline settlements in eastern Ukraine. This declaration, made by Russia's Defence Ministry, has been largely contested or left unacknowledged by Kyiv.
Disputed Claims in Donetsk and Kupiansk
The Russian Defence Ministry specified that four villages within the Donetsk region, a primary area of Russia's westward push, are now under its command. Among these is Yampil, located east of the Ukrainian-held city of Sloviansk. However, Ukraine countered on Thursday, asserting that Yampil remained under its control despite Russian infiltration attempts.
Earlier in the week, Russia's Chief of General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, stated on Thursday that forces had captured the heavily damaged city of Kupiansk. Ukraine swiftly denied this claim. On Friday, Kyiv reported six Russian attacks on Kupiansk but refrained from confirming any change in territorial control.
Additional Villages and Ukrainian Counter-Reports
The Russian Defence Ministry's statement on Friday further listed Stavky, Novoselivka, and Maslyakivka – three additional villages in the Donetsk region – as being under Moscow's authority. Additionally, a village in the neighboring Dnipropetrovsk region was also reported as captured. In response, the Ukrainian General Staff's evening frontline report noted that Stavky and Novoselivka were indeed areas experiencing Russian assaults but provided no information regarding territorial losses.
Focus on Pokrovsk: A Strategic Logistics Hub
For several months, the intense fighting along the 1,200 km (775 miles) front line has concentrated on Russia's persistent efforts to advance towards Pokrovsk, a critical logistics hub. Gerasimov previously claimed on Thursday that Kremlin forces controlled 70% of Pokrovsk, an assertion Ukraine's military dismissed. By Friday, the Ukrainian General Staff reported 62 Russian attacks in the vicinity of Pokrovsk.
Open-Source Intelligence Suggests Shifts
Adding another layer to the narrative, DeepState, a Ukrainian military blog utilizing open-source intelligence to map troop positions, indicated on Friday that the center of Pokrovsk was "gradually coming under enemy control" as Russian troops advanced from the south. The blog also noted Russian forces moving into a village just east of Pokrovsk. These maneuvers are part of Russia's broader, slow westward progression through the Donetsk region, integral to their campaign to fully capture the Donbas, which encompasses both the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Separately, Russian forces have also reported gains further south in the Zaporizhzhia region, and currently claim control over approximately 19% of Ukraine's total territory.