Russia claims control of eight more Ukrainian settlements, Ukraine disputes

Jerusalem Post/World News/Russia-Ukraine WarUkraine's General Staff said on Saturday that Ukrainian forces remained in control of the eastern town of Dobropillia, describing Russia's claim to have captured it as untrue.Follow us on GoogleA resident looks at a crater that appeared at the site of an apartment building damaged during a Russian air strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine October 17, 2026(photo credit: REUTERS/STRINGER)OCTOBER 17, 2026 14:13The Russian defense ministry said on Saturday its forces had taken control of eight more Ukrainian settlements, including the town of Dobropillia in the eastern Donetsk region, news agency Interfax reported.The ministry also said it had struck Ukrainian drone storage sites and transport infrastructure used by Ukraine’s armed forces over the past 24 hours.Ukraine's General Staff said on Saturday that Ukrainian forces remained in control of the eastern town of Dobropillia, describing Russia's claim to have captured it as untrue.In an emailed statement, General Staff spokesman Andriy Kovaliov said Ukraine also rejected Russia's claim that Russian forces had captured more than 1,800 square km (695 square miles) of Ukrainian territory and 92 settlements since September 1.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday that Russia attacked more than 15 Ukrainian energy facilities in western and central regions overnight.Rescuers work at the site an apartment building damaged during a Russian air strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine October 17, 2026 (credit: REUTERS/STRINGER)"Russia has expanded its campaign against the energy system and is trying to stretch Ukraine's reserves and repair capacity as thinly as possible," he said on Telegram.Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield report.Follow us on Google