Battles for Maryinka: What loss of positions threatens for Ukrainian defenders
Photo: experts spoke about the potential threats of Maryinka's loss (GettyImages)
Ukrainian defenders confidently hold the defense of the nearly occupied Maryinka, repelling strong enemy attacks and delivering a powerful response to Russian occupiers. However, the possible loss of the settlement could pose a threat of a breakthrough by invaders in two more directions.
This information is reported in the material by RBC-Ukraine titled Avdiivka, Kupiansk, and constant changes near Bakhmut: Frontline situation overview.
As of now, intense fighting continues in the settlement of Maryinka in the Donetsk region. According to maps, the southern part is entirely under the control of Russian forces, and a few buildings on the extreme northwest remain in the gray zone.
Military expert Oleksii Hetman noted that the ruins of Maryinka still remain within our territory, and the sense of withdrawal is only when it comes to well-prepared positions.
Currently, Ukrainian defenders manage to destroy a significant amount of enemy forces and equipment there. In particular, the expert emphasizes that decisions regarding changes in movement will be made according to the current situation based on the tactics of contact battles.
Strategically, we are not going to give up a single meter of our land. But tactically, there is still a difference between holding the defense in ruins or a kilometer away, but where the enemy will suffer heavy losses," Hetman says.
Maryinka is almost captured, but the defense operation is still ongoing (photo from deepstatemap.live)
According to British intelligence, the capture of Maryinka could provide the Russians with the opportunity to move towards Kurakhove. However, even in such a scenario, due to the large number of water bodies and rugged highlands, the likelihood of a significant breakthrough in this direction is considered low.
"They can continue their offensive towards Heorhiivka and Maksymilianivka to reach Kurakhove. Such an offensive will require a lot of time and a lot of resources," believes a military-political analyst of the Information Resistance group, Oleksandr Kovalenko.
Another possible direction is Vuhledar, where elite brigades of the Russian Marine Corps were defeated last winter. At this moment, the enemy has already become active in the Novomykhailivka area between Maryinka and Vuhledar.
"They are accumulating resources to be thrown at Vuhledar. I think the offensive may start before the new year... In any case, it won't be a quick push." added the expert.
Situation in the Maryinka direction
As of December 21, in the Maryinka front, the defensive forces continue to restrain the enemy in the areas of Maryinka, Pobeda, and Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region, where our defenders have repelled 10 attacks.
Enemy losses
Over the past day, the Defense Forces' aviation carried out strikes on 16 areas of personnel concentration, weapons, and military equipment, as well as on 1 anti-aircraft missile system of the enemy. Additionally, using the forces and means of Ukraine's air defense, 1 guided missile X-59 was destroyed.
Units of the missile forces targeted 5 areas of personnel concentration, weapons, and military equipment, as well as the ammunition depot and 6 artillery systems of the enemy.
