Russia claims to have captured the town of Maryinka in eastern Ukraine

(Patria) - Russia has announced that its forces now fully control the town of Maryinka in eastern Ukraine, a development President Vladimir Putin hailed as a "success" that would mean less shelling of the nearby Russian-held city of Donetsk, AFP reported.

"Our assault units have completely liberated the settlement of Maryinka," Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told Putin during a meeting shown on state television.

Piles of rubble and destroyed residential buildings could be seen in drone footage shown on Russian television, which was claimed to be of Maryinka.

"I want to congratulate you," Putin told Shoigu.

"This is a success" that gives Russian troops "the opportunity to move into a wider operational area."

Shoigu said that control of Maryinka would allow his soldiers to "advance further in this direction" and "make it possible to more effectively protect Donetsk from strikes" by Ukrainian forces. But Oleksandr Shtupun, a spokesman for the Ukrainian army, said the claim that Maryinka was fully under Russian control was "inaccurate."

"Fighting for Maryinka continues," he said, adding that there are still Ukrainian soldiers within the boundaries of the Maryinka district. "The town is completely destroyed," he added.

The counteroffensive by Ukrainian forces that began in June along the front line in the south and east of the country has largely stalled, with little success. Russian forces have increased pressure in recent weeks.