RUSSIA has claimed that its troops had captured Velyka Novosilka, a strategically important town in eastern Ukraine. The Russian Defence Ministry announced the fall of Velyka Novosilka, which had around 5,000 residents before Russia’s “special military operation” began.

Moscow's forces have captured Velyka Novosilka in the Donetsk region and about to gain Toretsk, according to reports.

Russia on Sunday said its forces had captured the east Ukrainian town of Velyka Novosilka in the embattled Donetsk region, almost three years into their offensive.