War in Ukraine
Updated on December 26, 2023, 5:54 p.m
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The Ukrainian army has withdrawn from the eastern Ukrainian town of Marinka after an attack by Russian troops.
© picture alliance/Kyodo
The Ukrainian army has confirmed its extensive withdrawal from the fortified town of Maryinka in the east of the country. The armed forces have “withdrew to the outskirts of Mariinka” and “already crossed the city limits” in several places, army chief Valeryi Zalushnyj told journalists on Tuesday. The day before, Ukraine had denied that Russia had taken Mariinka.
Salushnyj also said on Tuesday that the partial withdrawal of the army from the small town, five kilometers southwest of the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk, “should not lead to a general outcry.”
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced the capture of Maryinka in a televised conversation with the Russian president on Monday
Russia has already made its presence felt in the Donetsk region in 2014
On Tuesday, army chief Zalushnyj said that although there were still soldiers in the northern part of the city, the Ukrainian armed forces had set up a “defense line” outside Marinka to which they could withdraw. “Marjinka no longer exists,” said Salushnyj, referring to the destruction in the city. He “fully understands that our fighters are doing a very difficult job in extremely difficult conditions,” Zalushnyy added.
The Ukrainian army had already fortified Mariinka in 2014. At that time, pro-Russian separatists controlled by Moscow took Donetsk.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, a large Russian naval ship was destroyed. Russia admitted damage to the landing ship Novacherskask.
Russian Defense Minister Shoigu spoke to Putin on Monday about “powerful fortifications” and “underground passages” that Ukraine had built in Mariinka. The fortress had been conquered.
The Russian army has recently made progress in eastern Ukraine. After the failure of the Ukrainian counteroffensive, it made up ground there. The troops have also been trying to surround the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka for several months. (afp/the)
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Teaser image: © picture alliance/Kyodo