"The Russian armed forces have increased the pace of their offensive in the Donetsk direction," the ministry said in a statement.
The Russian forces have taken control of the Lisichnoe settlement in the Donetsk People's Republic, the statement read, adding that they continue to hold the initiative in the Donetsk direction, successfully breaking through Ukraine's defenses.
The Russian forces maintain the initiative and are breaking through enemy defenses in the Donetsk direction. Moreover, Russian servicemen have increased the pace of their offensive, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.
"At present, control over urban areas in Krasnohorovka has been established. The clearing of Ukrainian Armed Forces and nationalists from Ivanovka, Sergeevka, Makeevka, Kirov, Artemovo, and Zhelannoe is nearing completion," the statement added.
According to the ministry, over the past week, the settlements of Timofeevka and Veseloye in the Donetsk direction have been brought under control.
"In total, in July 2024, 19 settlements in the Donetsk People's Republic have been liberated from the enemy by the Russian forces' 'Center' and 'South' groups," the Ministry of Defense reported.