DONETSK, February 17. /TASS/. Russian troops have entered the territory of the main fortified stronghold of the Ukrainian forces near Donetsk and are pushing ahead with a cleanup operation.

"Today our guys have accomplished another feat. They have entered the territory of the main, years-old citadel of Ukraine's military - the key fortified area near Donetsk. Intensive cleanup is underway there now. The Russian state flag can be seen in some areas," an adviser to the head of the DPR, Igor Kimakovsky, has told TASS.

Some Ukrainian soldiers agreed to lay down arms, he added.