Key facts
- Russia's Defense Ministry announced the capture of Rozkishne village in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region.
- The ministry also claimed control over Okhrimivka village in the neighboring Kharkiv region.
- Ukrainian military reports indicated Russian forces launched attacks around Okhrimivka.
- Ukrainian officials described challenging conditions for their forces near Kostiantynivka.
- A Ukrainian commander stated their defending force near Kostiantynivka was 'semi-encircled'.
Russia's Defence Ministry announced on Thursday that its forces had captured two more settlements in eastern Ukraine: Rozkishne village in the Donetsk region and Okhrimivka in the Kharkiv region.
According to the Russian ministry, Rozkishne was taken after an intelligence operation and the deployment of artillery and drones. Rozkishne is located approximately 30 km west of Kostiantynivka, a town that has been a target for Moscow as it seeks to advance through eastern Ukraine. The ministry also stated that its forces had established control over eastern districts of Kostiantynivka amid street fighting.
Ukrainian reports did not confirm either settlement changing hands. However, the General Staff of the Ukrainian military stated that Russian forces had launched attacks around Okhrimivka. A separate Ukrainian account described difficult conditions for Kyiv's forces near Kostiantynivka. Serhiy Yaryi, commander of Ukraine's 28th Separate Mechanised Brigade, was quoted as saying the defending force was now "semi-encircled" due to Russian advances to the east.
The Russian Defence Ministry also claimed control over Okhrimivka, near the Russian border, following the deployment of drones and artillery, stating Russia aims to establish a buffer zone in the area. Ukraine's General Staff reported Russian forces attacked four settlements in the area, including Okhrimivka, but did not indicate it had fallen into Russian hands. Russian forces continue their slow advance to capture the eastern Donetsk region and the broader Donbas region.