Pakistan, July 27 -- Russia's Defence Ministry announced on Saturday that its forces have captured two more villages in eastern Ukraine, including Zelenyi Hai in Donetsk and Maliivka in Dnipropetrovsk region. The ministry described Zelenyi Hai as a key stronghold protecting access to Dnipropetrovsk. Ukrainian officials, however, did not confirm the loss of these areas but reported intense fighting along the front.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Pokrovsk remains the main battlefield, as Russian forces continue attacks across the 1,000-kilometre front line. He also noted Ukraine's military had made "successful actions" in the northern Sumy region, where Russian troops recently advanced. Zelenskiy called Pokrovsk a priori...