Russian Navy Submarine Reportedly Struck in Black Sea; Moscow Claims Land Advance

Russia says its forces have captured a village in northeastern Ukraine. At the same time, it is denying a Ukrainian military claim of a successful attack on a Russian submarine. Ukraine's military intelligence agency stated that a Russian submarine in the Black Sea was hit and "likely destroyed" in a seaborne drone strike. The reported attack targeted the vessel at its home naval base in Crimea. The Russian defense ministry did not address the submarine directly. Instead, it called the Ukrainian claim a "fantasy." However, it confirmed a major drone attack on its Sevastopol base was repelled. On the ground, Russia said it took control of the village of Synkivka. This area has seen intense fighting for months. If confirmed, the advance would mark a small but steady gain for Russian forces in the region. Neither the submarine strike nor the village's capture could be immediately verified by independent sources. The claims and counterclaims come amid ongoing heavy battles along the front line.