The Russian military announced on Sunday that it had taken control of a town to the east of Ukraine, as its forces advance toward the strategic city of Pokrovsk.

According to a statement from Russia’s Defense Ministry, Russian forces have “liberated the locality of Novohrodivka” in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), located approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Pokrovsk.

The Ministry said that its Tsentr (Center) group of forces has gained control of Novohrodivka "through active operations."

Moscow’s forces have made key progress this summer, pushing closer to the key logistical hub of Pokrovsk. Despite an unexpected cross-border offensive by Kiev in the Kursk region on August 6, Russian troops continue to make gains in Donetsk.

Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted on Thursday that his primary objective after 30 months of conflict is to secure control of the eastern Donbass region, which includes Donetsk.

He further pointed out that Ukraine's counter-offensive in the Kursk region had inadvertently facilitated Moscow's advances.

11,220 Ukrainian troops killed since Kursk offensive: Russian MoD

In a related context, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed on Sunday that the Ukrainian armed forces have lost more than 11,220 soldiers and 87 tanks since the onset of Kiev's offensive in Kursk.

In the past 24 hours alone, Ukraine has lost up to 510 soldiers, 19 armored vehicles—including three tanks, an infantry fighting vehicle, and 15 armored combat vehicles—as well as two artillery units, an electronic warfare station, and 13 other vehicles, according to the Ministry.

Russian forces also claimed victories in several regional areas, including Apanasovka, Borki, Vishnevka, and Vnezapnoe.

Major losses for Kiev forces across multiple fronts

In the same vein, the Russian Defense Ministry also reported that its Yug (South) group of troops had inflicted heavy casualties on Ukrainian forces, with up to 625 service members killed in the past day.

Additionally, Moscow said its forces have destroyed a Kozak armored vehicle, two UK-made 155mm FH-70 howitzers, and an electronic warfare station.

Moreover, the Ministry said that the Sever (North) group of Russian troops eliminated up to 160 Ukrainian soldiers, while the Zapad (West) group eliminated up to 550 Ukrainian troops during clashes.

Elsewhere, the statement mentioned that Ukraine has lost up to 560 soldiers in engagements with Russia's Tsentr (Center) group and lost up to 130 soldiers and a UK-manufactured FH-70 howitzer at the hands of Russia’s Vostok (East) group.

Read more: Russian forces take control of Kalynove settlement in DPR: MoD