The Russian Ministry of Defense announced today, Tuesday, that its forces have gained control over two new towns in Ukraine: Romanivka in the Donetsk region and Novodaryivka in the Zaporizhia region.

The ministry stated that “Southern Group Forces” successfully liberated Romanivka, part of the Donetsk People’s Republic, and Novodaryivka in Zaporizhia.

This announcement comes amid ongoing escalations in the Ukrainian conflict, complicating the situation in the region.