Ukrainian city of Balakliya freed from nationalist battalions - Russian Defense Ministry

MOSCOW. March 3 (Interfax) - Russian troops, working together with units from the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics, have continued the offensive and freed the Ukrainian city of Balakliya, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said at a press briefing on Thursday.

"The Russian Armed Forces developed the successful offensive, took control of Chistopolye, Novopoltavka, and Zhovtneve, and levelled off the frontline together with units of the Donetsk People's Republic. The city of Balakliya has been freed from nationalist battalions," Konashenkov said.

"Forces of the Luhansk People's Republic continued the offensive with fire support from the Russian Armed Forces and reached the line of Krasny Lyman - Pryvolye - northern outskirts of Severodonetsk," he said.

"They have advanced by four kilometers," Konashenkov said.

"Forces of the Donetsk People's Republic have tightened the circle around Mariupol and have taken control of Vynohradne, Sartak and Vodyane," he said.