Russia says captured another eastern Ukraine village

MOSCOW/KYIV - Russia said Sunday its armed forces seized the village of Novoselivka Persha in eastern Ukraine, the latest in a string of frontline advances Moscow has claimed in recent weeks. 

Now grinding through a third year of fighting, neither Kyiv nor Moscow has managed to swing the conflict decisively in their favour, even though Moscow's forces have gained ground in recent months.

Russia's defence ministry said forces had "liberated the settlement of Novoselivka Persha" that lies in the Donetsk region around 20 kilometres northwest of Avdiivka, which Russia seized in February.

Moscow has claimed to have taken a string of villages in the Donetsk region in recent weeks -- many consisting of just a few streets.

Ukraine on Sunday announced the mandatory evacuation of children and their guardians from areas in the Donetsk region.

Donetsk governor Vadym Filashkin cited the town of Novogrodovka, which is about 20 kilometres from the village of Novoselivka Persha that Russia claimed to have captured on Sunday.

The Donetsk governor said 744 children and their families had to be relocated to four regions of Ukraine. 

Now grinding through a third year of fighting, neither Kyiv nor Moscow has managed to swing the conflict decisively in their favour, even though Moscow's forces have gained ground in recent months.

Russia said it had annexed the Donetsk region -- along with three others in eastern and southern Ukraine — in 2022.