Russian troops take control of Ukrainsk in eastern Ukraine, RIA reports

They raise their flag on a mine ventilation shaft on the outskirts of the city

A police officer drives a vehicle past the Kurakhivska Thermal Power Plant during an evacuation of civilians from the outskirts of the Kurakhove town, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine September 16, 2024. REUTERS/Stringer

Russian forces captured the Ukrainian city of Ukrainsk in the eastern Donetsk region on Tuesday, Russian state-run RIA news agency reported, citing an unidentified source in the Russian military.

Russian troops raised their flag on a mine ventilation shaft on the outskirts of the city, it added. Reuters was unable to immediately verify battlefield reports.

Russian forces had encircled Ukrainsk earlier this month.