MOSCOW, December 2. /TASS/. Russian servicemen retain the initiative on the battlefield in every area of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), making it impossible for Ukrainian troops to gain a foothold there, Denis Pushilin, the republic’s head, told the Rossiya-24 TV channel.

"It is very important that [our troops] continue to advance, not allowing the enemy to consolidate new positions. The initiative here is, of course, fully in the hands of the Russian Armed Forces, be it Kurakhovo, Velikaya Novosyolka, or the Krasnoarmeysk area," the official said.

He added that Russian forces are also steadily advancing in the Krasny Liman area in the north of the region. Due to the successes of the Russian army, Ukraine is forced to deploy reserves. "The enemy is trying to hold fortified positions as long as possible, attempting to shift reserves, ignoring losses of manpower and equipment. <…> This is exactly why we can see settlements being regularly liberated," the regional head concluded.