Ukraine: After Bakhmut, it's Marinka. Is Russia close to taking control of entire Donbas?
File photo of an empty street with buildings damaged by shelling in the town of Marinka, Donetsk region
More than a week after Russia claimed that its forces had seized the control of eastern frontline town of Marinka, a suburb of the Donetsk region, the Ukrainian military in an apparent confirmation of the Russian claim said that they were fighting 'in the vicinities' of a village behind Marinka.
The development is pertinent ahead ofRussian presidential elections which President Vladimir Putin appears set to win in continuance of hishold on power on Moscow's corridor of power since 1999.
The frontline, as illustrated by the open-source maps, is now embedded with Russian troops, with the Ukrainian military effectively outside the town deemed strategically important by Russia.
The town of Marinka in Donbas region on Jan 5, 2024 | Google Maps
Ukraine's top commander General Valery Zaluzhny said last week that Marinka "no longer exists" as months of fighting had reduced it to rubble.
What does it mean?
The capture of Marinka by Russian forces is the biggest territorial advance by Russia since the fall of Bakhmut in May last year.
According to reports, the Russian forces are now intensifying their efforts to expand control over key towns in the Donbas region.
The towns of Kurakhove, Vuhledar, and Pokrovsk are now reportedly in their sights.
Marinka's takeover now highlights the persistent advancement of Moscow's troops.
The strategic move into Marinka followed a pattern seen in the battle for Bakhmut, approximately 50 miles northeast, with Moscow's forces navigating through a town left devastated by relentless bombardment.
Also watch |Russia hopes to capture all of Donbas region in Ukraine's East
Marinka's loss also points to the negligible impact of Ukraine's summer counteroffensive against Russian advances.
The Ukrainian Army is now struggling with human power and ammunition shortages.
Russia's control of Marinka: A timeline
Open-source maps of the battlefield indicate that Russian forces had a foothold in Marinka as early as June 2023 in the middle of Ukraine's much-hyped counteroffensive.
Their final push to seize the town's western edge occurred in mid-December, and they officially declared full control on December 25.
Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.