ROSTOV-ON-DON, February 18. /TASS/. Russian forces have strengthened their positons near Artyomovsk, Denis Pushilin, acting head of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), said on Saturday.

"Artyomovsk is being liberated. Now we have information about the improvement of positons on its outskirts, that is Praskovyevka (Paraskovyevka - TASS) has been liberated, which also enables us to advance closer to the blocking of the remaining road towards Chasov Yar, which is in fact the only of five roads, which remains the enemy supply route," he told reporters on the sidelines of a workshop for regional headquarters of the We Are Together volunteers.

According to Pushilin, blocking the road towards Chasov Yar will bring the liberation of Artyomovsk closer.

"It is actually one road, but it is branched. In other words, it has to be blocked and then we’ll bring the liberation of Artyomovsk drastically closer," the DPR acting head said.

Artyomovsk, which is located in the Kiev-controlled area of the Donetsk People’s Republic, is a major supply hub for the Ukrainian grouping in Donbass. Fierce fighting is raging over the city. On February 16, Pushilin reported that Russian forces had taken all the key highland areas near Artyomovsk.