Russian military claims control of several Ukrainian settlements

The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Saturday that its forces have gained control over several settlements in Ukraine. In the Kharkov region, Russian troops reportedly took control of Palamarevka and Kovalevka.

In the Dnepropetrovsk region, the Vostok battlegroup established control over Velikomikhailovka. Additionally, the Dnepr battlegroup claimed to have liberated Malokaterinovka in the Zaporozhye region, an action intended to facilitate further advances in that area.

The Russian military stated that these territorial gains are part of efforts to expand a security zone to prevent Ukrainian shelling of Russian territories. The ministry also reported significant Ukrainian combat losses during recent engagements.