New Delhi, June 17 -- Russia's Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday that its forces had taken control of the settlement of Kutuzovka (also known as Stepy) in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), describing the development as the result of continued offensive operations by the Center Group of Forces.

According to the ministry, Russian troops achieved the objective during active combat operations along the Donetsk front, where Moscow has continued to report advances against Ukrainian positions in recent months. In a statement, the ministry said that units of the Center Group had "liberated" the settlement of Kutuzovka in the DPR.

The reported capture marks the latest territorial gain claimed by Moscow as fighting remains intense across...