LUGANSK, March 10. /TASS/. Kiev is increasing its troop presence near the city of Artyomovsk (called Bakhmut in Ukraine) in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), retired Lieutenant Colonel of the Lugansk People’s Republic’s (LPR) People’s Militia Andrey Marochko told TASS.

"The enemy is building up its troop presence northwest and southwest of Artyomovsk," he said, citing Russian intelligence. Marochko pointed out that judging by the number of troops and the amount of equipment, Ukrainian troops stationed near Artyomovsk "are capable of conducting both defensive and offensive operations."

Acting DPR head Denis Pushilin said on Thursday that Ukrainian forces had tried to launch a counter-offensive on a section of the Artyomovsk frontline but failed and Russian troops continued to advance.

Artyomovsk, located in the Kiev-controlled part of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), is an important transport hub in terms of Ukrainian military supplies. Heavy fighting is raging in the area. According to the latest reports, all the paved roads to the city have been cut off or taken under the fire control by Russian troops, while the spring season of muddy roads is impeding the delivery of ammunition and reserves to the entrenched Ukrainian forces.