Russian troops have taken control of four settlements in the Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk and Zaporozhye regions, according to a Saturday report from the Russian Ministry of Defense.

The advances were reported by three Russian military formations: the West, East and Dnepr Groups of Forces.

In the Kharkov region, units of the West Group of Forces established control over Palamarevka and Kovalevka. The ministry said Russian troops improved their positions along the front line and secured both settlements through active combat operations.

Meanwhile, the East Group of Forces continued advancing deeper into Ukrainian defensive positions in the Dnepropetrovsk region. As a result of the offensive, Russian troops took control of Velikomikhailovka, the ministry reported.

Russian forces also reported an advance in the Zaporozhye region, where units of the Dnepr Group of Forces liberated Malokaterinovka following decisive military operations.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry’s Saturday briefing, the four settlements brought under Russian control were Palamarevka and Kovalevka in the Kharkov region, Velikomikhailovka in the Dnepropetrovsk region, and Malokaterinovka in the Zaporozhye region.