Russian forces are slowly but steadily gaining ground in costly metre-for-metre battles for largely devastated areas in eastern Ukraine, with few inhabitants or intact buildings left.

Moscow has captured “the settlements of Katerynivka, Volodymyrivka and Rusyn Yar in the Donetsk People’s Republic”, the ministry said on Telegram, using the name Moscow uses for the region that it claimed to have annexed in September 2022.

This comes as Ukraine and Russia accuse each other of not being interested in a sustainable peace, reducing the likelihood of a speedy meeting between the countries’ leaders to settle the conflict.

Ukraine has cut gas supply to the city of Kostiantynivka, an important stronghold town around two dozen miles away from the captured settlements, after the enemy’s shelling hit a pipeline.

“Due to extensive damage, it was not possible to maintain working pressure in the gas supply system in Kostiantynivka,” Donetsk regional authorities said, adding that it was impossible to repair the pipeline due to lack of safety for the workers.

Ukraine’s presidential aide Andriy Yermak posted a photo of a 10-storey residential apartment building in Kostiantynivka, engulfed in fire triggered by the shelling.

“Russia continues its terror because it is not achieving the desired results,” he said.

One civilian was wounded in the shelling, local authorities said Friday.

Kyiv had earlier ordered civilians to evacuate from the town.