Russia claims capture of Zelenoye in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region

Russia said on Friday that its forces had taken control of the village of Zelenoye in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, marking what Moscow described as its second territorial gain this week. The claim was made by Russia’s Defense Ministry in a statement published on Telegram, though it could not be independently verified.

Moscow reports new territorial gains

A day earlier, Russia also asserted that it had captured the village of Bratske in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region. That settlement lies roughly three kilometers northwest of Ostapivske, which Moscow said it took in December last year, suggesting a gradual push along the regional front line.

Kyiv yet to confirm claims

Ukrainian authorities have not commented on the reported capture of Zelenoye or Bratske. Independent confirmation remains difficult as the war, now approaching its fourth year, continues to limit access to contested areas and reliable on-the-ground verification.

Energy infrastructure under attack

Meanwhile, Ukraine reported significant power outages in the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions following overnight drone strikes. The Energy Ministry said Russian attacks had targeted critical energy infrastructure, leaving the two regions almost entirely without electricity. “Critical infrastructure is operating on backup power,” the ministry said, underlining the strain on civilian life and essential services.