Donetsk, Oct 14 — DAN. The main units of Ukrainian armed formations began to withdraw from the town of Artyomovsk in the north of the Donetsk People’s Republic at night, Russia’s TASS news agency reported on Friday citing sources in Lugansk People’s Republic law-enforcement bodies.
“According to the information from local residents, the main units of the Ukrainian army began to leave Artyomovsk last night, ” a source told Tass. “Coalition forces are preparing to enter the town.”
Earlier on Friday, LPR People’s Militia officer Andrey Marochko told First Channel that coalition forces had made considerable gains in the town.
Artyomovsk is a large district center and fortified area of the Ukrainian army north of Gorlovka. It has been occupied by Ukrainian forces since 2014. Fighting for the town has continued for several months. Coalition forces have been pressing the enemy from several axes. Over the past two weeks, coalition forces have liberated five settlements outside Artyomovsk in the north, south and southeast. The prewar Artyomovsk had machine building, metallurgical and construction companies. The Artyomovsk Champagne Wine Factory is one of the largest in Eastern Europe.*jk