Russia claims its troops have captured the frontline town of Kurakhov in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region.

The town has borne the brunt of Russia’s offensive in recent months and is a stepping stone to the important logistics center of Pokrovsk.

Ukraine has not yet recognized the fall of Kurakhov, 35 kilometers (21 miles) south of Pokrovsk.

In the past few days, fierce fighting has also occurred in the Kursk region of Russia. Ukraine strikes back on Sunday.

An image taken from social media and provided by Reuters appeared to show a soldier holding a Russian flag in Kulakhov. The image has not been verified by the BBC.

As of Monday morning, Ukrainian troops were still fighting Russian troops in Kurakhov, Viktor Trehubov, a spokesman for Ukraine’s Hortyca forces, told Reuters.

Kurakhov was connected to Pokrovsk by roads that were part of the infrastructure for transporting troops and supplies along the front.

Analyst Roman Poholy said capturing Kulakhov would allow the Russians to move north and attack Pokrovsk from a new direction.

The Russian Defense Ministry also claimed on Monday that the village of Dachenske, about 8 kilometers south of Pokrovsk, had been occupied by Russian troops.

Kiev’s army is reportedly suffering from manpower shortages and has been retreating steadily in eastern Ukraine in recent months as Russian forces advance.