Russia’s Defense Ministry said its forces captured Deryilovo and Miskoi in Donetsk, as well as Stepovoi in Dnipropetrovsk.

It added that advances were made on several fronts, inflicting heavy losses on Ukrainian forces.

Russia claimed control of more than 4,714 square kilometers since the start of the year.

Kyiv, however, insisted its troops were mounting fierce resistance and inflicting heavy casualties on Russian forces.