**Russia Claims to Capture Ukrainian Village, Ukraine Denies**
Russian forces have reportedly captured the village of Stepove in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. However, Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces say this is not true.
The village of Stepove has a small population of 118 people and is located near other villages that were under Russian control last year. Russia’s Defense Ministry made the claim on March 17. But Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces, denies it.
**No Change in Front Line**
Voloshyn said Ukrainian forces did not lose any ground in the Zaporizhzhia sector of the front line. He described Russia’s statement as a “method of information warfare”, where the enemy claims victory before actually achieving it.
Fierce fighting continues in this area, with six combat engagements reported in the Orikhiv sector over the last day. Since March, Russian forces have intensified their assaults in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
**Increased Fighting**
Since the beginning of spring, there have been over 130 clashes in the Orikhiv sector alone. The Ukrainian military warned last fall that Russia was preparing for a southern offensive and built fortifications around the regional capital of Zaporizhzhia.
The area near Stepove was a key location for Ukraine’s southern counteroffensive in 2023, which led to the liberation of the settlement of Robotyne but did not achieve a major breakthrough.
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