Russia announced on Thursday that its forces have captured the strategically important town of Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraine, following nearly 16 months of intense combat.

If confirmed, the development would mark a major territorial gain for Moscow and could pave the way for further advances toward key Ukrainian strongholds in the Donetsk region, including Kostiantynivka, Sloviansk, and Kramatorsk, News.Az reports, citing Reuters.