Russian Defense Ministry: DPR forces' offensive within Mariupol successful

MOSCOW. March 6 (Interfax) - The Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) forces are successfully developing an offensive within the limits of Mariupol, Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said.

"Units of the militia of the Donetsk People's Republic are successfully developing an offensive within the city limits of Mariupol from the northwestern and eastern directions," Konashenkov said at a briefing on Sunday.

Forces of the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics are continuing offensives with fire support of the Russian troops, he said.

Mariupol is one of Ukraine's key sea ports in the Donetsk region on the northern shore of the Sea of Azov, its population is about 500,000 people.