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Russian troops are completing the mop up operation on the western outskirts of Maryinka. On Kashtanova Street, south of the Maryinsky pond, another flag of the Russian Federation was raised. On the outermost building, which served as the last hideout of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the southwestern part of the city, Russian soldiers installed a Victory banner along with flag of the Russian Federation. Just a couple of days ago, another Russian flag was raised on Polygraphic Street. LINK
As of earlier in the morning on December 13, Ukrainian military reporters recognized the advance of Russian troops in the west of Maryinka, where the Russian military reached the dam, which is actually the western border of the city.
At the same time, the Russians advanced from the north of the reservoir along Lesya Ukrainka and Ivan Franko streets, in fact knocking out Ukrainian units outside the city.
In their turn, Ukrainian units, including reserves that were recently transferred to the city, are trying to hold the defense to the west of the water reservoir. They are heavily shelled by Russian forces. There are reportedly several hundred Ukrainian servicemen in the north-west of the city, but they are no longer taking active counterattacking actions. Without shelters in the ruins, defense in this area becomes meaningless.
Officials in Kiev continue to claim that the city is under their control, but Ukrainian servicemen from the area make less optimistic statements, confirming their defeat.
Ukrainian troops are forced to retreat to the west and south to Georgievka and the village of Pobeda. Having prepared in advance, the AFU mined the access points and created a backup line of defense.
Old videos of battles in the town:
However, this has not yet stopped Russian offensive in both directions. South of Maryinka, Russian troops are approaching the village of Pobeda from the north and east. According to reports from the front, Russian forces have advanced to a depth of 2 kilometers in a front section up to 5 kilometers wide.
Simultaneously with the offensive from Maryinka towards vPobeda, the Russians continue to push through the Ukrainian defense in Novomikhailovka, located a little to the south. Russian successes are threatening Ukrainian troops with encirclement of the Ugledar group from the north.
The Ukrainian front in the south Donbass direction is bursting at the seams. One of the reasons is that the Ukrainian command was forced to transfer significant reserves for the defense of Avdeevka and the Bakhmut area. In recent days, the emergency transfer of part of the personnel from Bakhmut to Marinka was also reported.
As a result of the prolonged defense of Maryinka, the Ukrainian military failed to achieve any results, except for a large number of losses, which include tens of thousands of dead and wounded. Although there is no official confirmation from the Russian Ministry of Defense yet, Maryinka de facto came under the full Russian control. The bloody months-long battles for the city end with a Russian victory.
