DPR forces advance in Mariupol by 1 kilometer over past 24 hours - Russian Defense Ministry

MOSCOW. March 9 (Interfax) - Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) forces are continuing a successful offensive in Mariupol, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.

"Units of the Donetsk Republic's people's militia have advanced in Mariupol by over one kilometer over the past 24 hours," Konashenkov said at a press briefing on Wednesday.

Russian Armed Forces units have taken control of the communities of Krasna Polyana and Stepne, he said.

"A unit of the Luhansk People's Republic continued an offensive and has taken control of the populated areas of Toshkivka and Hrachove. They advanced by two kilometers. Donetsk People's Republic militia units advanced by four kilometers and took the populated areas of Syhnalne, Taramchuk, Olenivka, and Trudove," Konashenkov said.