MOSCOW — Russia said on Saturday that its forces had taken control of another settlement in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, as fighting continued along the front line.In a statement, Russia’s Defense Ministry said troops captured the village of Bochkove, located about 3.7 kilometers (2.3 miles) from the Russian border.Earlier this week, Moscow claimed its forces had seized 80 settlements and more than 1,700 square kilometers (656 square miles) of Ukrainian territory so far this year.Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov said Russian troops captured 34 settlements and around 700 square kilometers (270 square miles) during March and April alone.Gerasimov also claimed that Russian forces had established full control over Ukraine’s eastern Luhansk region.Ukraine has not commented on the latest Russian claims, and independent verification remains difficult because of the ongoing war.MOSCOW — Russia said on Saturday that its forces had taken control of another settlement in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, as fighting continued along the front line.In a statement, Russia’s Defense Ministry said troops captured the village of Bochkove, located about 3.7 kilometers (2.3 miles) from the Russian border.Earlier this week, Moscow claimed its forces had seized 80 settlements and more than 1,700 square kilometers (656 square miles) of Ukrainian territory so far this year.Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov said Russian troops captured 34 settlements and around 700 square kilometers (270 square miles) during March and April alone.Gerasimov also claimed that Russian forces had established full control over Ukraine’s eastern Luhansk region.Ukraine has not commented on the latest Russian claims, and independent verification remains difficult because of the ongoing war.
