Russia claims capturing 5 settlements in Ukraine this week

MOSCOW

Russia claimed on Friday that its forces captured five Ukrainian settlements this week.

The Defense Ministry said in a statement that Sever (North) Group took over Varachino in the Sumy Oblast, Yug (South) Group took control of Belaya Gora in the Donetsk region and Tsentr (Center) Group secured Novotoretskoye, Novoekonomicheskoye, and Zverevo in the same region.

The ministry also reported carrying out 10 group strikes, including three using high-precision air, ground, and sea-based weapons, hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, and attack drones.

According to the ministry, the strikes targeted Ukrainian defense industry facilities, military airfield infrastructure, assembly and storage sites for attack drones, fuel depots, missile, artillery, and ammunition stockpiles, recruitment centers, temporary deployment points of armed units, and foreign mercenaries.

Ukraine has yet to comment on Russia's claims, an independent verification is challenging due to the ongoing conflict.