1 Mar 2022 11:52

DPR forces take over 29 populated localities formerly held by Ukraine as of March 1 - territorial defense headquarters

DONETSK. March 1 (Interfax) - The forces of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) have taken over 29 populated localities formerly held by Ukraine as of March 1, the DPR territorial defense headquarters said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Twenty-nine populated localities formerly held by the Ukrainian army have been freed as of March 1, 2022," the statement said.

The DPR has taken control of Pavlopil, Pyshchevyk, Viktorivka, Bohdanivka, Novohnativka, Mykolaivka, Rybinske, Trudovske, Vasylivka, Prokhorivka, Starohnativka, Svobodne, Donske, Anadol, Andriivka, Hranitne, Hnutove, Bugas, Staromarivka, Mirne, Kamyanka, Novoselivka, Novoselivka Druha, Kremenevka, Fedorivka, Zamozhne, Shyrokyne, Talakivka, and Sartana.

"The blockades of Mariupol and Volovakha is being finalized," the headquarters.

The DPR forces took over 12 populated localities in the past three days, it said.

DPR head Denis Pushilin said on Tuesday that the forces "have been advancing ahead of schedule."