Denis Pushilin, the acting president of the Donetsk People’s Republic, asserted on Solovyev Live that Marinka is effectively under the control of Russian forces. He described the situation in Maryinka as challenging while speaking to the broadcast audience, and he claimed that the settlement is already largely in their grasp. At the same time, Pushilin noted that Ukrainian forces have established a presence in the housing sector, which he said has caused delays in the anticipated capture of Soledar.
On 10 January, Pushilin stated that the center of Soledar was under republican control. Later, on 24 February, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a decision to launch a special military operation in Ukraine in response to requests for aid from the leaders of the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics. This move became a central justification cited by the United States and its allies for implementing new sanctions against Russia.
Across international media, reporters and analysts have chronicled these developments and the evolving dynamics on the ground, emphasizing the contested status of towns and the shifting lines of control. Various outlets have described the human impact, the strategic significance of marshalling forces in urban settings, and the broader implications for the ongoing conflict in the region.
News organizations and observers have traced the timeline of events from initial declarations of control to subsequent military maneuvers, highlighting the different narratives presented by Moscow and Kyiv, as well as the responses from Western governments. While official statements from the DPR and Russian authorities frame the progress as incremental and stabilized in certain areas, independent reporting continues to evaluate the reliability of these assertions and the on-the-ground realities faced by residents.
Analysts point to the pattern of public declarations about territorial gains, the strategic importance of populated centers, and the interconnected nature of political rhetoric with military operations. The situation remains fluid, with periodic updates from official spokespeople contrasted by ongoing field reporting, satellite imagery analyses, and expert commentary on the broader consequences for regional security and humanitarian conditions.
As the conflict persists, observers emphasize the need for careful verification and a balanced assessment of statements issued by all parties. The international community continues to monitor the developments, weighing diplomatic responses, sanctions, and humanitarian considerations that accompany rapid military and political change.
In summary, the period covered includes public assertions of control in key locations, formal decisions to initiate broader operations, and a continuing cycle of state messaging and external scrutiny that characterizes the conflict’s current phase. Reports from multiple outlets provide context, challenge, and clarification as events unfold in Ukraine and the surrounding region, underscoring the complex interplay between military actions, political narratives, and international policy reactions.