• Russia claims to have captured three villages in eastern Ukraine.
• The villages include Pryvillia, Pishchane, and Tykhe.
• Fighting continues with Ukraine disputing the claims of territorial changes.

On Friday, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that its forces had taken control of three villages in eastern Ukraine: Pryvillia in the Dnipropetrovsk region and Pishchane and Tykhe in the Kharkiv region. This advancement is viewed within the broader context of Russia's ongoing military operations, which have involved significant clashes in these areas in recent weeks, according to aa, Reuters, and India Times.

The Russian military claims it is making a slow but steady advance through eastern Ukraine, focusing on crucial settlements that Kyiv had previously recovered during a counteroffensive last year. Among notable efforts, the town of Kupiansk has become a primary target due to its strategic significance. Russian President Vladimir Putin reported that his forces maintain the initiative along the front line, stretching over approximately 1,250 kilometers, as mentioned by Reuters and India Times.

However, the Ukrainian military has disputed these territorial claims, stating that they have repelled numerous assaults by Russian forces and asserting that control of the mentioned settlements remains intact. Reports indicate vigorous fighting continues in the region, particularly around Kupiansk, where the situation remains volatile and contested, according to aa and Reuters.