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While the entire Ukrainian frontlines in all regions are inflamed by heavy encounter, Russian forces are claiming new victories in the southern Donbass. The town of Mariinka almost came under the full Russian control. Since the Russian Ministry of Defense is yet to officially declare the victory, some mop up operations likely continue on the north-western outskirts. However, the loss of the town by Kiev forces is imminent and attempts of the Ukrainian military to counterattack in the ruins have no strategic impact.
The end of their months-long assault in the west of Mariinka, allowed the Russian military to accumulate forces to launch new offensive south of the town. Immediately after the south-western part of Mariinka was secured, Russian forces expanded the zone of their control on the outskirts and approached the village of Pobeda located 3 kilometers to the south of Mariinka.
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At the same time, Russian troops launched attacks on the Ukrainian stronghold in Novomikhailovka from several directions. According to reports from the front, on the evening of December 14, the Russian military entered the village from the southern and eastern outskirts. Previously, clashes were reported to the east only. The attacking forces reportedly repelled the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) from the cemetery in the south of Novomikhailovka and launched assault on the streets. Russian advance in the south allowed them to cut one of Ukrainian small supply roads in the fields that linked Novomikhailovka to Ugledar.
While the village is surrounded from the southern and eastern directions, the AFU accumulated forces in the northern part. There were some agricultural entreprises, and the AFU are using their hangars and facilities as warehouses and strongholds to defend the settlement. As a result, they are a priority target for Russian constant artillery shelling.
Archive footage of battles in Mariinka filmed by Russian servicemen:
The AFU are likely to continue defense of their stronghold until the Russian units approach Novomikhailovka from the north. Russian forces are already advancing in the fields east of Pobeda; the front lines lays only about 3 kilometers north of Novomikhailovka. However, the AFU are still in control of their stronghold called ‘Zverinets’ (‘menagerie’, where a former animal farm was located). It is located north-east of Novomikhailovka. The Ukrainian grouping there is almost encircled but does not retreat.
The fall of Ukrainian stronghold in Mariinka threatens the entire Ukrainian defense in the southern Donbass. In an attempt to prevent the Russians from straightening the front, the AFU are forced to send reinforcement there. Several units from the Kherson region were reportedly recently deployed there. After the Russian military cuts and advance along the road from Mariinka to Ugledar, the AFU will be forced to withdrew from the strategically important stronhold in Ugledar or turn it into another fortress in the steppes.
