ISTANBUL
Russia’s defense minister claimed on Monday that the country’s armed forces had taken the town of Marinka in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.
“During active offensive operations, assault detachments of the ‘Southern’ group today completely liberated Marinka,” Sergey Shoygu said during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Shoygu further said that Russia’s advance reduces Ukraine’s capabilities in the area and provides the Russian military with additional opportunities.
He also claimed that the Russian military had especially diverted Ukrainian artillery to the west, away from the city of Donetsk, allowing Moscow to “protect Donetsk from attacks. “
Ukrainian officials have yet to comment on Shoygu’s comments.