Ukranian officials have denied claims that Russia seized Mariinka, near Donestsk.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said the nation seized teh eastern Ukranian town after assault units claimed the “powerfully fortified” area, reports the BBC. The town is close to the Russian-held regional capital.
Ukranian military spokesman Oleksandr Shtupun however denied the claim. He says fighting in Mariinka continued on Tuesday morning.
Known as a gateway to Donetsk, Mariinka has been almost entirely destroyed during the conflict. The claims made by both Ukraine and Russia have not yet been verified by independent sources.
Mariinka has served as a defensive barrier for Ukraine since 2014, when Russian forces seized large swathes of the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
At a televised meeting with President Putin on Monday, Mr Shoigu said: “The assault detachments of the South group today completely liberated the settlement of Mariinka, which is five kilometres [three miles] south-west of Donetsk.
“For nine years, the armed forces of Ukraine have made a powerful fortified area, which is connected by underground passages. Each street has its own well-fortified and fairly well-protected structures from all attacks, both from the air and artillery, long-term firing points, complex underground communication systems.
“Thanks to the decisive actions of our servicemen, the fortified area has been cracked.”
Putin hailed the report a “success” and claimed Ukrainian troops had been pushed further away from Donetsk, which has been shelled from Mariinka. The Kremlin also said Russian forces “had the opportunity to move into a wider operational area” in the region.
On Monday, the Ukrainian military denied the claims. Shtupun said it was “incorrect to say that Mariinka is fully seized”. He added: “Our soldiers are currently within the administrative borders of Mariinka.”
Recent weeks have seen Russian forces increase their attacks in key battlegrounds across Ukraine. Alongside Mariinka, they have been trying to encircle Avdiivka – another key town near Donetsk.
It comes as Ukranian forces aim to extend their bridgehead to the left bank of the Dnipro river.