Reference News Network, December 26** According to TASS news agency on December 25**, Russian troops completely liberated the town of Maryinka, not far from the city of Donetsk. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported this to Putin.
"In an active offensive operation, the assault units of Army Group South today completely liberated the town of Maryinka, located 5 km southwest of the city of Donetsk," Shoigu said, the report said. For 9 years, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have built extremely strong and strong fortresses there. ”
He noted that the fortress included underground passages. In addition, each street has reinforced protections that are well protected against artillery and aircraft bombardment, as well as permanent firing points and a complex underground transportation network.
Shoigu said: "Our troops acted decisively, the fortress was breached. He stressed that there are more than 3,000 houses in Maryinka, each of which is a strong stronghold.
According to Russia's "Moscow News" on December 26, Putin said at a meeting with Shoigu that the capture of Maryinka would help force the Ukrainian army to move further away from Donetsk. He should have offered to award national medals to soldiers who had distinguished themselves in the battle of Maryinka.
According to the German news agency dpa, on December 25, Kyiv denied that the Russian army had captured the town of Maryinka.
According to the report, Ukrainian military spokesman Alexander Shtupan said: "The fighting in Maryinka continues. ”
He said that although the city has been destroyed, there are still Ukrainian soldiers there. (Compiled by Yang Xinpeng, Zhao Zhipeng, Xu Yanhong).