MOSCOW, Dec  25, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Russia on Monday said its forces now
fully controlled the town of Maryinka in eastern Ukraine, which President
Vladimir Putin hailed as a "success" that would mean less shelling on the
nearby Russian-held city of Donetsk.

"Our assault units have today completely liberated the settlement of
Maryinka," Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told Putin in a meeting shown on
state television.

Piles of rubble and gutted apartment buildings over a wide area could be
seen in drone images shown on Russian television that were said to be of
Maryinka.

"I want to congratulate you," Putin told Shoigu.

"This is a success" which gives Russian troops "the opportunity to move
into a wider operational area".

Shoigu said the control of Maryinka would enable his soldiers to "move
further in this direction" and "make it possible to protect Donetsk more
effectively from strikes" from Ukrainian forces.

But Oleksandr Shtupun, a spokesman for Ukraine's army, said it was
"incorrect" to claim that Maryinka was fully controlled by Russian forces.

"The fighting for Maryinka continues," he said, adding that there were
still Ukrainian soldiers within the borders of the district of Maryinka.

"The town is completely destroyed," he said.

The claims could not be independently verified.

A counter-offensive by Ukrainian forces which started in June along the
front line in the south and east of the country has largely petered out, with
few successes.

Russian forces have increased pressure in recent weeks.