Moscow:
Russia said on Thursday it had captured another village in eastern Ukraine, where Moscow's forces have been advancing for days.
Russia is rushing to advance against the warring Ukrainian forces, awaiting the long-awaited arrival of the bulk of American weapons to the front for Kiev's remaining troops.
Moscow's Defense Ministry said troops had “completely liberated the Berdychi settlement.”
Kiev said it had withdrawn from the village, northwest of the Moscow-held town of Avdiivka, over the weekend.
Berdychi – which is about 12 kilometers (7 miles) from Avdiivka – is the latest in a series of small eastern villages that Russia has claimed in recent weeks.
Moscow has made some gains in the area since capturing Avdiivka in February, following some of the most brutal battles in its more than two-year offensive.
Ukraine said in February it had set up defense lines in Berdychi after the fall of the nearby village of Lastochkyne.
Over the weekend, Ukrainian commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky said Kiev had withdrawn from Berdychi and two other nearby villages to protect “the lives and health of our defenders.”
He called the area the “most complicated” part of the front and admitted that Russia has achieved “certain tactical successes” there.
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