DONETSK, February 26. /TASS/. The Ukrainian military has resorted to shelling Donetsk by long-range HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems after losing the ability to bombard the city by artillery from Avdeyevka, Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) Head Denis Pushilin said in a live broadcast on the Rossiya-24 television channel on Monday.

"Considering the liberation of Avdeyevka and some other communities [by Russian troops], we say that the enemy physically cannot reach Donetsk by some armaments, in particular, artillery. Nonetheless, the enemy is now using expensive Western equipment, in particular, long-range HIMARS systems and carrying out pinpoint bombardments of Donetsk," Pushilin said.

The Ukrainian military is using HIMARS rockets, in particular, against civilian infrastructure, he said.

Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russian troops had taken full control of the city of Avdeyevka near Donetsk. The Ukrainian army withdrew from Avdeyevka in a chaotic retreat. Russia’s Defense Ministry stressed.

Avdeyevka is located west of Yasinovataya and from that location the Ukrainian military had been shelling nearby Donetsk and Makeyevka. As Russia’s Defense Ministry reported, Russian troops continue offensive operations on the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic.