Donetsk, Feb 10 — DAN. Russian troops have taken control of three roads to Artyomovsk cutting off supply lines to the Ukrainian forces in the town, Donetsk People’s Republic Acting Head Denis Pushilin told reporters in Moscow on Friday.
“They’ve got a foothold in the northern part of Artyomovsk and flanked it in the north, south and east. In fact, they cut off three of the four roads, i.e. the supply lines. They are under full fire control by our forces, ” TASS quoted Pushilin as saying.
The road to Chasov Yar in the west remains the only supply line for the Ukrainian troops in Artyomovsk, he added.
Artyomovsk is a large district center and a fortified area of the Ukrainian army north of Gorlovka. It has been occupied by Ukrainian forces since 2014. The prewar Artyomovsk had machine building, metallurgical and construction companies. The Artyomovsk Champagne Wines Factory is one of the largest in Eastern Europe. Fierce fighting for the town has continued for several months. Western military experts and politicians said Ukrainian army manpower losses had run into thousands.*jk