MOSCOW, February 27. /TASS/. The situation near Artyomovsk has changed substantially in recent days as the liberation of the Berkhovka and Yagodnoye settlements helps with the encirclement of Artyomovsk, known in Ukraine as Bakhmut, Denis Pushilin, the interim head of the Donetsk People’s Republic said on Monday.
"In recent days, we have seen quite significant changes in the liberation operation. This is the Artyomovsk area, which is now in the spotlight," he said on the Rossiya-24 television.
Pushilin said that the capture of Berkhovka and Yagodnoye makes it possible to reach Bogdanovka and Khromovo, which "in the future adds up to the successful circumstances for surrounding the enemy and the tightening of the circle."
Artyomovsk is located 55 km northeast of Donetsk and continues to be an important transport hub for supplying the Ukrainian group of troops in Donbass. Fierce battles for the city are underway. Russian forces have already liberated a number of settlements in the suburbs of Artyomovsk, including Kleshcheyevka, Podgorodnoye, Paraskoviyevka, Berkhovka and Yagodnoye.