Russian forces claimed on Tuesday that they had captured Blagodatne, north of the town of Bakhmut.

The picture shows a view of Bahemut.

(AFP)

[Instant News/Comprehensive Report] The Russian military announced today (31) that it has captured the village of Blagodatne in eastern Ukraine.

The village, north of the town of Bakhmut, has been the scene of a bloody battle between Ukrainian defenders and Russian forces in recent months.

As a result of the successful attack, the Russian army "successfully liberated the village of Blagodatne in the Donetsk People's Republic," a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry said, according to Agence France-Presse. The People's Republic is the official Russian name for Donetsk Oblast in Ukraine.

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Blagodatne is located on the highway leading to Bakhmut, not far from the salt city of Soledar, which was recently occupied by Russian troops.

Wagner, a group of mercenaries working for Russia, claimed over the weekend that they had captured Blagodatne, though Ukraine later refuted Wagner's claims, saying defenders repelled the Russians.