Donetsk, Mar 9 – DAN. DPR territorial gains south of Donetsk have brought a township outside Dokuchayevsk and a railway station at the Zaporozhye region border in the Republic, the DPR Defence's deputy chief of staff Eduard Basurin said.

"Having arrived at the administrative border of the Zaporozhye region, DPR service members continue the liberation of the Republic from Ukrainian nationalists. Control has been established over Beryozovoye and Zachatovka railway station," he said.

Dokuchayevsk has been repeatedly targeted by Ukrainian forces since 2014. Residential buildings, social infrastructure, factories and food enterprices have sustained multiple hits over the years.

The city remains without water supply since February 17 shelling by Ukrainian forces.

Russia started a special military operation to denazify and demilitarize Ukraine on February 24. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the decision was made after the DPR and LPR Heads addressed him asking for help.

The Russian leader said that Moscow is not planning to occupy Ukrainian territory, the only goal is to protect people who have been continuously shelled and subjected to other forms of genocide by Ukraine for eight years. *ot