Russia's Defence Ministry said on Friday that its forces had taken control of the strategic coal-mining city of Toretsk in eastern Ukraine, but Ukraine's military denied the city had been captured and reported heavy fighting in and around it.

Russian forces claimed to have captured Toretsk, but battles are still ongoing in the city. Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to resist, according to the DeepState and Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.

In a major strategic win, Russia takes control of Toretsk, pushing forward in its efforts to gain full control of southern Donetsk and threaten nearby Ukrainian strongholds.