What is known about Marinka’s capture
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, in his report to Russian President Vladimir Putin, talked about Marinka being completely under Russian control. Video of their meeting published On the Telegram channel of the Ministry of Defense.
“During active offensive operations, assault detachments of the Yuzhnaya group completely liberated the village of Maryinka today. This is five kilometers southwest of Donetsk,” Shoigu said.
He emphasized that “in nine years” Ukraine had turned Marinka into a “strong fortified area” with its own underground passages, and a strong point well protected from air and artillery attacks had been created on almost every street. However, the Russian military managed to “hack” Ukrainian defenses. This is Russia’s first success since MayWhen Bakhmut (Artemovsk) was taken.
A more detailed transcript of the conversation between Shoigu and Putin sent On the Kremlin’s website. The Minister of Defense also noted: The capture of Marinka “significantly” removed Ukrainian artillery from Donetsk.
“By entering this fortified area, our troops have the opportunity to enter a larger operational area,” Putin added. He explained that this issue still needs to be discussed with the military command, but one way or another the opportunity “emerged.”
Ukraine’s position
The Ukrainian Armed Forces deny the loss of the city. “The battle for Marinka continues,” said Tauride Defense Forces spokesman Alexander Shtupun.
“Our army is currently within the administrative borders of Marinka, but the city is completely destroyed. “It is wrong to talk about the complete capture of Marinka.”
At the same time, on the Ukrainian side, on December 13, Nikolai Voroshnov, air reconnaissance officer of the 72nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (fighting in this direction), reported that the city was completely occupied by the Russians.
“Marinka fell. Before [города] Kurakhovo – less than 14 km along a flat road. Fields, plantations, a farm and a small village. <…> “I’m almost sure the next offensive punch will be here,” he said.
The commander of the operational-strategic group “Tavria” of Ukrainian troops, General Alexander Tarnavsky, denied this information on the same day. “Enemy <…> continues to spread information and provocations about the alleged complete capture of this city. “Marinka’s defense continues,” he insisted.
“It’s a matter of principle.” How did they get Marinka
Russia began an active offensive in June. Until 2020, Marinka was a city of regional importance. It is part of the Donetsk agglomeration, located in a straight line of 24 km between Donetsk and Marinka. In 2014, Marinka found itself on the front line between the DPR and the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the city came under heavy shelling.
More than 9 thousand people lived here before the latest hostilities began. Shoigu pointed out that the city has streets of “fairly large” length. During his meeting with Putin, the Minister of Defense emphasized twice that Marinka consists of more than 3 thousand houses, each of which has turned into a “well-fortified point” of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“There have been clashes here since 2014: first DPR units fought, now we. For us and for the members of Wesseushki, control of Marinka is a matter of principle” – aforementioned In July, the deputy battalion commander was a Russian fighter with the call sign “Silence”.
He explained that Ukrainians reached the city by digging kilometers of trenches and tunnels throughout the city.
“Many people are angry, they say, Marinka is a small settlement, but we have been attacking it for more than five hundred days… It has its own characteristics. Them [враги] they sit underground – we storm outside. They don’t care about artillery fire. But for us – pieces, wounds… And we need to “dismantle” to demolish the basements. “Then we strengthen our positions in these half-shattered positions,” the soldier said, drawing attention to the difficulties experienced.
Other Russian fighters fighting at Marinka said there were almost no clashes with pistols. The matter was complicated by the fact that the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were well camouflaged. Advancing, the Russians passed through a multi-storey building and found themselves in the private sector, in full view and under fire.
Who stood out in the Marinka battles
The head of the Ministry of Defense told Putin that the soldiers of the 150th motorized rifle division of the Idritsa-Berlin Kutuzov Order (Southern Military District) were particularly notable for the capture of Maryinka.
“By the way, this department historically received the Reichstag, this name passed to it. <…> Commanders and officers distinguished themselves,” Shoigu said.
It is also stated that the 5th Brigade and the 1st Corps units made a “significant contribution” to the conquest of the city. Putin agreed that the Minister of Defense proposed to reward all outstanding fighters.
Putin and Shoigu named one of the outstanding people. This is the commander of the tank battalion, senior lieutenant Alexander Troshin. He volunteered for the army in April last year, signing a ten-year contract.
“He was burned three times in the tank, had seven concussions, one shrapnel wound. When their tank was defeated, their crew rescued their comrades, salvaged the equipment and succeeded. He fought with honor. He himself destroyed five tanks and 23 armored vehicles of various classes. I will not talk about other achievements, but this is a visible result,” Putin said.
The president added that Troshin repeatedly led attack groups, including those who kidnapped Marinka.
Shoigu said he wanted to promote the tanker to captain ahead of schedule. The minister said Troshin deserved more but should have been the next captain in order of rank. Putin responded by asking for Troshin to be promoted to the rank of major. He noted that the relevant rules were approved by the president and exceptions could be made.