Ukraine war latest: Russian forces divided on whether they lost another village in Zaporizhzhia Oblast

Key developments on June 18:

• Russian Defense Ministry denies claims from the ground of Ukraine liberating village in Zaporizhzhia Oblast
• Russian governors claim Ukraine attack 2 regions
• NATO Secretary General says peace in Ukraine cannot mean freezing Russia’s war

Russia’s Defense Ministry dismissed claims that Ukrainian forces liberated the Piatykhatky village, Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Kremlin-installed proxy in occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia Oblast Vladimir Rogov and several high-profile Russian pro-war Telegram channels wrote on June 18 that Russian forces have pulled out of the village.

Rogov said that Ukrainian forces have “effectively captured” the village.

Ukraine hasn’t commented on the claim.

Piatykhatky is located 22 kilometers west of the front-line town of Orikhiv and sits just south of the Lobkove settlement, which Ukrainian forces liberated last week.

The Institute for the Study of War, a D.C.-based think-tank, reported on June 17 that Ukrainian forces are conducting counteroffensive operations southwest of Orikhiv.