The Russian army has announced the capture of the villages of Torske and Novooleksandrivka in the Donetsk region ahead of peace talks with Ukraine

The Russian Defense Ministry says Russian units have "liberated" the villages of Torske and Novooleksandrivka in the Donetsk region, following active actions by the Western and Central Group of Forces. These conquests come ahead of expected peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul. The Donetsk region has been the epicenter of the conflict, with more numerous and better equipped Russian forces continuing to advance in recent months.