MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. The Russian army has liberated Maryinka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, thus significantly moving the Ukrainian artillery away from Donetsk, which makes it possible today to more effectively defend the city from strikes, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said in a report to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"It is of importance that we have moved the artillery away from Donetsk quite significantly, further to the west. This allows us today to protect Donetsk from strikes more effectively," Shoigu said.

As he explained, the liberation of Marinka also narrowed the Ukrainian army’s defense capabilities and gave Russian troops more room for maneuver.

Shoigu stressed that over nine years the Ukrainian army had built a major fortified stronghold with underground passages five kilometers southwest of Donetsk.

"In fact, on every street there were created well-fortified long-term fire emplacements and a complex system of underground tunnels well protected from air strikes and field artillery. Thanks to resolute action by our military servicemen the fortifications have now been breached," he explained.