The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces had taken control of eight more Ukrainian settlements, including the town of Dobropillia in the eastern Donetsk region, according to the Interfax news agency.

Ukraine’s General Staff said Ukrainian forces remained in control of Dobropillia and described Russia’s claim to have captured it as untrue. Ukraine also rejected Russia’s claim that its forces had captured more than 1,800 square km (695 square miles) and 92 settlements since September 1.