“The US is advising Ukraine to withdraw these forces in order to re-equip and join US-led programs,” RIA Novosti quoted the statement as saying.
The source stressed that the retention of Artemovsk prevents Kyiv from “preparing for an offensive” in the spring.
Earlier, John Kirby, strategic communications coordinator at the White House National Security Council, said that Russian troops had made “gradual progress” near Artyomovsk and Soledar.
On January 17, the acting head of the DPR, Denis Pushilin, announced that the communication of Ukrainian troops between Seversk and Artyomovsk was cut off after the liberation of Soledar.