MOSCOW. May 3 (Interfax) - Russian forces have taken control of 547 square kilometers in the new Russian regions since the beginning of this year, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.
"The Russian groups of forces continue to break through the enemy's strongholds along the entire line of contact. Ukrainian forces are trying to hold certain defensive lines, but have to abandon their positions and retreat under our pressure," Shoigu said at a teleconference with commanding officers of the Russian Defense Ministry on Friday.
"We have taken control of 547 square kilometers in Russia's new regions since the beginning of this year," he said.
He said Russian forces took control of three communities in the Donetsk People's Republic - Novobakhmutovka, Semyonovka and Berdychi - over the past two weeks.