From Le Figaro with AFP
Published 35 minutes ago, updated 22 minutes ago
Marinka has been converted into a fortress by the Ukrainian army since 2014. WIACHESLAV RATYNSKYI / Portal
Marinka had been converted into a stronghold by the Ukrainian army since 2014 and began a conflict with pro-Russian separatists led by Moscow, who had taken over the city of Donetsk in particular.
The Russian army has taken control of the village of Marinka near Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Monday, allowing Moscow to continue its westward offensive in the region. “The city of Marinka, located five kilometers southwest of Donetsk, was completely liberated today,” Sergei Shoigu said in a television interview with President Vladimir Putin.
Marinka had been converted into a stronghold by the Ukrainian army since 2014 and began a conflict with pro-Russian separatists led by Moscow, who had taken over the city of Donetsk in particular.
According to Sergei Shoigu, Marinka is “a powerful fortified area connected by underground passages” that protect it from artillery and air strikes. “Thanks to the decisive action of our soldiers, the fortress was blown up,” he said. “The liberation of the site, of course, reduces the defensive capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and gives us additional opportunities to continue our action in this direction,” he added.
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“Defend Donetsk more effectively”
Vladimir Putin welcomed the fact that the capture of Marinka keeps Ukrainian troops out of Donetsk, the regional capital under Russian control that has been a regular target of Ukrainian bombings since 2014. “We have significantly reduced the area of artillery deployment near Donetsk.” …) and this now makes it possible to defend Donetsk more effectively against attacks,” emphasized Sergei Shoigu. Marinka as a fortified zone “gives our troops the opportunity to have a larger operational space,” Vladimir Putin said.
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Since the failure of the Ukrainian counteroffensive, Russian forces have regained the initiative at the front and have gained ground, particularly in the east. In particular, they have been trying for several months to surround another fortress, that of Avdiivka, also to the east.