Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: The Russians have announced that they have captured the city of Turetsk, one of the most important and strategic regions for Ukraine, after months of fighting.
Turetsk, which had a population of about 30,000 before the war, has come under Russian control. The area has coal mines and is therefore an important area for Ukraine.
Turetsk is located in eastern Ukraine, in the Donetsk region. Moscow has so far taken control of large parts of Donetsk.
Ukrainian officials have denied Russian control of the area, Reuters reported. Earlier, the Ukrainian military said Russia had carried out 10 strikes on Tortsk.
Kiev and Moscow are in their fourth year of conflict. There has been no serious move by either side towards peace talks, but Ukraine has said it is ready to hold talks with Russia.