The Russian Defence Ministry announced Friday that its forces have captured another settlement near Pokrovsk in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, releasing video footage it says confirms the advance.

The video, published August 29, shows bomb explosions, damaged infrastructure, and individuals holding Russian flags in what Moscow describes as newly seized territory. The claim comes only days after Russia reported taking control of two other villages near Pokrovsk, a key frontline town in the ongoing war.

Pokrovsk has become an increasingly strategic target, serving as both a logistical hub and a defensive stronghold for Ukrainian forces. Its fall would open the way for deeper Russian advances into Ukrainian-held Donetsk.

While Russia highlights the footage as evidence of success, the claims have not yet been independently verified. Ukrainian officials have not confirmed any loss of territory near Pokrovsk, underscoring the fog of war that often clouds frontline reports.

Military analysts say Russia’s intensified push around Pokrovsk reflects a broader effort to consolidate gains in Donetsk, even as heavy fighting continues across multiple fronts. The developments come amid ongoing uncertainty about how the conflict will evolve as both sides prepare for a prolonged war of attrition.