Russia claims it captured another settlement in northeastern Ukraine

Russia on Saturday claimed that its forces have taken control of another settlement in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region.

According to a Russian Defense Ministry statement, the forces captured the village of Bochkove, located around 3.7 km (2.3 miles) near the border with Russia.

On Tuesday, Moscow claimed that it has taken control of 80 settlements and more than 1,700 square kilometers (656 square miles) of Ukrainian territory so far this year.

According to Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, in March and April alone, Russian forces captured 34 settlements and about 700 square kilometers (270 square miles) of the territories.

He also claimed that Russian forces established full control over Ukraine’s eastern Luhansk region.

Ukraine has yet to respond to Russia's claims, while independent verification is difficult due to the ongoing war.