Russia said on Sunday that its forces had taken full control of a town in eastern Ukraine as Moscow's forces advance on the strategically important city of Pokrovsk and seek to pierce the Ukrainian defensive front lines.

Russia's defence ministry said its forces had taken the town of Novohrodivka, which lies 12 km from Pokrovsk, an important rail and road hub for Ukrainian forces in the area. The town had a population of 14,

Russia’s drive toward Pokrovsk has stalled along one part of the frontline, but its troops continue to advance in other parts of eastern Ukraine, and its long-range aerial attacks continue.