Russia's defence ministry said on Wednesday that its troops had taken control of the village of Novoielyzavetivka in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, near the logistics centre of Pokrovsk, the latest target in their steady advance westward.

Russia on Friday claimed it had captured another village in its relentless offensive in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region and as it closes in on the critical Ukrainian logistics hub of Pokrovsk after almost three years of war.

The Ukraine conflict is the first major drone war in military history. Despite tactical losses on several parts along the line of contact, the Ukrainian military has continued to maintain strategic pressure on Russia by targeting and attacking major targets behind enemy lines.