(MENAFN) Russian troops from the North military group have taken control of the village of Otradnoye in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, the Russian Defense Ministry announced Thursday.

“As a result of active and decisive actions, units of the North military group liberated the village of Otradnoye in the Kharkiv region,” the ministry said in a formal statement.

The claim has not yet been addressed by Ukrainian officials, and independent verification of the Russian advance remains unavailable. The situation on the ground continues to be fluid and difficult to confirm amid ongoing hostilities.

The Kharkiv region, which shares a border with Russia, has been a major flashpoint in recent months. Russian forces have stepped up efforts to advance deeper into Ukrainian-held territory, facing fierce resistance from Ukrainian troops. This has resulted in heavy exchanges of artillery fire and intense combat operations as both sides vie for strategic control in the area.

The capture of Otradnoye, if confirmed, marks a notable development in the broader conflict, highlighting the escalating and volatile nature of the fighting in northeastern Ukraine.

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