The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that the country's forces have taken control of three villages in Donetsk, in the eastern parts of Ukraine, reports the news agency AFP.
At the same time, The Kyiv Independent writes that Ukrainian forces in recent days say they have regained control of several villages on the front line in Donetsk.
Russia has recently claimed to have advanced in Donetsk, but the claims are downplayed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj. At a press conference, Zelenskyj said that Russia would need four more years of bloody military efforts if they are to be able to occupy Donetsk and the neighboring region of Luhansk completely.
In the region, intense battles have raged since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Russia claims that Donetsk is Russian territory, and the region is, along with other parts of eastern Ukraine, in focus as the outside world now tries to bring about peace talks.
