Muscat: Russia’s Defense Ministry said today that its forces had taken control of two additional towns in eastern Ukraine, continuing a recent push in the region.

According to Oman News Agency, the ministry stated that Russian troops had seized the towns of Chonishchyne in Donetsk and Poltavka in Zaporizhzhia. It added that Ukrainian forces suffered losses of more than 485 personnel, along with a tank, an armored fighting vehicle, six cars, and an artillery piece during operations in those areas.

Russia has reported steady advances in eastern Ukraine in recent weeks, controlling over several towns it described as “strategic.” Ukrainian officials have not denied the territorial losses but continue to call for increased Western support to halt Russia’s progress.