DONETSK, August 30 (Itar-Tass) - Ukrainian troops were retreating from Donetsk toward Zaporozhye, witnesses told Itar-Tass on Saturday.

Troops took heavy weapons with them in the mass retreat, Donetsk residents said.

Local Novorossia news agency reported militiamen destroyed about 20 tanks and armoured vehicles in the latest fighting.

Militia forces have approached the strategically important city of Mariupol.

An assault was not launched, but groups from forces of the self-proclaimed Donetsk Republic already “worked” in the suburbs. The city was encircled, witnesses said.