Russian claim disputed in Ukraine

Fierce fighting continues in eastern Ukraine as Russian military forces assert they have captured a town referred to as New York, previously known as Novgorodskoye. The Russian Defense Ministry announced the claim on Tuesday, describing the area as a significant logistics hub within the Donetsk People's Republic. This New York, a suburb of Toretsk with a pre-war population of around 10,000, has been a focal point of recent military advances by Russian troops. Despite the Russian claims, Ukrainian armed forces have not confirmed the loss of the town. They acknowledged ongoing attacks in the region but did not validate the capture. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that their defenders are actively resisting Russian advances near New York, Nelipivka, Toretsk, and Zalizne, with multiple combat engagements taking place. Ukrainian sources, including the online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda, indicated that Kyiv's forces are still holding their positions in the northern part of New York, with intense battles reported in the vicinity. The situation remains fluid, with both sides engaged in heavy fighting as the conflict continues to escalate in the Donetsk region. As the war rages on, the strategic significance of the area underscores the ongoing struggle for control in eastern Ukraine, with both Ukrainian and Russian forces vying for dominance amid a backdrop of shifting territorial claims.