Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has said his troops have seized the key town of Mariinka in eastern Ukraine - a claim immediately denied by Kyiv.

Mr Shoigu told President Vladimir Putin assault units had taken the "powerfully fortified" area just outside Donetsk, a Russian-held regional capital.

But Ukrainian military spokesman Oleksandr Shtupun said "fighting for Mariinka" continued.
Mariinka - seen as a gateway to Donetsk - has been almost completely destroyed.

In recent weeks, Russian forces have intensified their attacks in several key areas of a more than 1,200km-long (745 miles) battlefront.

Alongside Mariinka, they have been trying to encircle Avdiivka - another key town near Donetsk.

Ukrainian forces are seeking to extend their bridgehead on the left (eastern) bank of the Dnipro river in southern Ukraine.


Source:
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https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67820916