MOSCOW, February 13. /TASS/. The seizure of Krasnaya Gora in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) will enable Russian troops to tighten control of approaches to Artyomovsk (called Bakhmut in Ukraine), Yan Gagin, military-political expert and adviser to the acting DPR head, said on Monday.

"Krasnaya Gora … is one of the key strongholds for tightening control of approaches to Artyomovsk. Correspondingly, this is a key to a further offensive and the city’s seizure," he said in a live broadcast on the Rossiya-24 TV channel.

Russian artillery is close to controlling the Chasov Yar - Artyomovsk road, Gagin stressed. "We are moving forward and the Ukrainian garrison in Artyomovsk is doomed. I believe that they understand this. Sooner or later, they will surrender it [Artyomovsk]," he said.

Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on Monday that Russian troops had liberated the community of Krasnaya Gora in the Donetsk People’s Republic.