New Delhi, Dec. 12 -- Russian President expresses gratitude to military officers following disputed reports of Siversk takeover, as Ukraine firmly denies losing control of the Donetsk stronghold.

Conflicting Claims Over Siversk's Status

The phone calls came hours after Putin declared that Russian forces had secured control of Siversk, a town that served as a crucial defensive position for Ukrainian forces in the Donetsk People's Republic. The Russian president characterized the alleged capture as a development that would facilitate new offensive operations on other fronts and help expel Ukrainian troops from Russian-held territories.

However, Ukrainian defense forces have categorically rejected Moscow's assertions. Military spokesmen f...