Maryinka defense and Russian tactics: Situation worse than with Bakhmut
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Oleksiy Danilov (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukrainian Forces maintain control over a part of Maryinka in the Donetsk region, despite claims of its capture by Russian occupiers. The town, heavily affected by enemy attacks, has been reduced to almost ruins, states Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
"A small part of the settlement is still under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," the official said, responding to questions about recent claims by the Russian Ministry of Defense regarding the alleged complete capture of Maryinka.
At the same time, Danilov noted that the Russians are seeking to seize the town.
"Although, if we call things as they are, they want to capture what is left of the settlement. Because they have practically completely destroyed it. There is practically no intact structure left there," emphasized the Secretary of the NSDC.
Regarding the possibility of comparing the tactics used by the invaders near Maryinka with the campaign to capture Bakhmut, Danilov pointed out the difference in the characteristics of these localities based on the terrain.
"The situation there is rather worse than with Bakhmut due to the local terrain. So, once again, I emphasize, essentially, there are practically no buildings that would have survived in the territory of Maryinka," he said.
The official also noted that the Armed Forces continue to defend settlements, particularly in the Avdiivka on the Kupiansk sector of the front, where the enemy is trying to advance deeper, and the situation is challenging.
"But I say that it is always difficult on the front. This is war," Danilov stated.
The situation in the Maryinka
On December 25, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to dictator Vladimir Putin that Russian forces had supposedly fully occupied Maryinka.
Colonel Oleksandr Shtupun, the spokesperson for the Unified Press Center of the Defense Forces of the Tavria Direction, commenting on this information, emphasized that it is inappropriate to speak of the complete capture of the city since Ukrainian defenders are still within its administrative boundaries.
Moreover, on December 26, Сommander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi noted that Ukrainian defenders are located to the north of Maryinka. However, some military personnel have already withdrawn to the outskirts and even farther.
Military sources also reported on Tuesday evening that Russian occupiers continue to shell Maryinka using artillery. This occurs after their claims of supposedly having full control over the city.
