Russia’s Defence Ministry said on Friday that its forces had seized full control of Shevchenko, a village in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region. The claim is the latest in a series of reported advances along the front line as the war continues to inflict heavy costs on civilians.

Reuters reported the statement from Moscow, which said Russian troops had taken the settlement after continued fighting in the area. Independent verification of battlefield claims in the region remains difficult, and Ukrainian officials have not immediately confirmed the loss of the village.

Donetsk has remained one of the most contested parts of the war, with repeated shelling, displacement, and damage to civilian infrastructure. Each shift in control can affect local residents already living under the strain of prolonged conflict and uncertainty.

The latest claim underscores how the war remains fluid on the ground, even as both sides continue to battle for small settlements that can carry strategic weight. For civilians in eastern Ukraine, the fighting means more fear, disruption, and a shrinking sense of security.