Russia says it captures major town in southeastern Ukraine

SOLDIER STANDING ON THE RIGHT: “We are the servicemen of the 60th Motor Rifle Brigade, part of the 2nd Guards Motor Rifle Brigade in the 4th Motor Rifle Company. We are in the centre of Huliaipole where recently fighting was going on with the soldiers of the Ukrainian army. At this moment, thanks to clear leadership by our commanders and decisive actions of our soldiers, we have captured Huliaipole."

SOLDIER STANDING ON THE LEFT: "Victory will be ours!"

SOLDIER STANDING ON THE RIGHT: "Behind us you can see a church which is located in the centre of the town. To the left there is a school. To the right is the local administration building, where there was fierce fighting with soldiers of the Ukrainian army.”

STORY: Russia's defence ministry said on Saturday (December 27) it had captured the town of Huliaipole in Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, ahead of what President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said would be a crucial meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to work out a plan to end nearly four years of war.

In a video released on Saturday by Russia’s defence ministry, people dressed in military uniform and holding Russian flags said Huliaipole had been captured by Russian forces.

Reuters confirmed the location of the video by matching the square layout, dome, buildings and trees to file and satellite imagery. The date of the video could not be verified. However, the Russian Defence Ministry said on December 27 its forces had captured the town of Huliaipole.

Russian commanders told Russia’s President Vladimir Putin during an inspection visit that Moscow's forces had captured the towns of Myrnohrad, Rodynske and Artemivka in Ukraine's eastern region of Donetsk, as well as Huliaipole and Stepnohirsk in the Zaporizhzhia region, the Kremlin said on the Telegram messaging app.

Ukraine's military rejected Russia's assertions about Huliaipole and Myrnohrad as false statements. The situation in both places remains "difficult" but "defensive operations" by Ukrainian troops are ongoing, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said in a statement on social media.

Production: Maria Laguna, Jacinta Goh/Reuters