The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) stressed the importance of holding the city of Maryinka, despite the difficulties and damage it suffered as a result of hostilities. Commander of the Tavria Defense Forces Oleksandr Tarnavskyi stated that the task of the military command is to resolve the situation and preserve personnel.
"Today we clearly realize that if somewhere everything is destroyed or there is no possibility, our task, first of all, is to preserve the personnel. And we are taking all measures to ensure that it is not 'at any cost'," Tarnavsky emphasized.
Maryinka, a small town near Donetsk, has been under heavy shelling and fighting for the second year. The Ukrainian military is recognizing the importance of holding the city despite the destruction and damage inflicted by the enemy.
General Tarnavsky compared the situation in Maryinka with other cities, in particular Avdiivka, where Russian occupation forces bypass fighters to avoid fighting in the city.
“We observed this during the battles for Bakhmut,” the general noted, pointing to the strategic importance of holding Maryinka.
Ukrainian Armed Forces servicemen refute the statements of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu regarding the occupation of Maryinka by Russia, indicating that this does not correspond to reality. Oleksandr Shtupun, spokesman for the joint press center of the Tavria Defense Forces, stated that Ukrainian military personnel are located north of Maryinka, where active combat operations are underway.
