Russia says captured Pobeda village in east Ukraine

The capture, if confirmed, would mark another step westwards for Moscow, which last week took over Avdiivka after months of battle.

A Ukrainian serviceman of 47th brigade prepares his position to operate a drone at a front line, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, near the town of Avdiivka, recently captured by Russian troops in Donetsk region, Ukraine, on February 20, 2024. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Russia said on February 22 its forces had taken control of Pobeda, a small village about five kilometres west of Donetsk city in east Ukraine.

The capture, if confirmed, would mark another step westwards for Moscow, which last week took over Avdiivka after months of battle.

"On the Donetsk front, units of the 'Southern' group of troops liberated the village of Pobeda and improved their position along the front line," the Russian defence ministry said.

Ukraine said in a briefing minutes later that it was "holding back enemy forces" in Pobeda.

"Russians are concentrating their main activity on the Donetsk region," said Ukraine's senior commander in the area, Oleksandr Tarnavsky.

After more than a year of deadlocked fighting, Moscow is back on the offensive in eastern Ukraine, throwing manpower and artillery at the front line in a bid to make gains.

Kyiv has meanwhile been suffering from a shortage of ammunition and hold-ups to much-needed Western aid amid political wrangling in the United States, its biggest ally.