Russian president Vladimir Putin described his army's progress in the eastern Donetsk region as 'positive'. (Russian Presidential Press Service/EPA Images pic) MOSCOW: Ukrainian forces controlled only a small part of the eastern Donetsk region and its capture was among Russia's "main objectives", president Vladimir Putin told military leaders in remarks made public Friday.
Putin said Russian forces were waging an offensive across the "entire front line", and described his army's progress as "positive".
The Russian leader's comments came as the Ukraine war ground through its fifth year, with both sides struggling to make breakthroughs and US-led peace talks deadlocked over the issue of territory.
