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Russia claims capture of village near Kupiansk in northeastern Ukraine

January 04, 2026
Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of a Russian strike on a residential area a day before, in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine, 03 January 2026. (EPA)
Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of a Russian strike on a residential area a day before, in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine, 03 January 2026. (EPA)

MOSCOW — Russia said Sunday that its forces had taken control of a village in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, as fighting continued around the front-line town of Kupiansk.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a statement that its troops captured the village of Podoly, located about 5 kilometers (3 miles) east of Kupiansk.

Earlier, Ukraine’s General Staff said in a morning update that Russian forces launched 14 assaults on Ukrainian positions near eight settlements in the Kupiansk direction.

The update named Kucherivka, Kurylivka and Petropavlivka, all located near Podoly, but did not mention the village.

Ukrainian authorities have not commented on Russia’s claim. Independent verification was not possible due to ongoing fighting as the war approaches its fifth year. — Agencies


January 04, 2026
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