In a televised meeting on Monday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu declared that Russian forces have successfully captured Maryinka, a town located in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. The town, which has been nearly destroyed during Moscow's invasion, had been heavily fortified by the Ukrainian armed forces over the past nine years.

President Vladimir Putin, present at the meeting, acknowledged the capture of Maryinka as a significant tactical achievement, as it helps push Ukrainian troops further away from the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk. Putin expressed his intention to honor the soldiers who had distinguished themselves in the battle for Maryinka with state awards.

Situated just 5 kilometers southwest of Donetsk, Maryinka was once home to approximately 10,000 residents before Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Sadly, the town has been reduced to rubble in the 22 months since the invasion. The regular shelling attacks on Donetsk have added to the already dire situation, leaving the devastated town in ruins.

While Russia has claimed the successful capture of Maryinka, there has been no immediate comment from Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital.

The capture of Maryinka serves as another unsettling escalation in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. This development adds to the mounting concerns about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region, with the local population enduring the devastating consequences of the war.

As the situation remains fluid and tensions continue to rise, international observers are closely monitoring the events in eastern Ukraine. The global community is showing increasing concern about the impact of the conflict on civilian lives and the need for a peaceful resolution.

It is important to note that the information provided in this news article is based on the statements made by the Russian Defense Minister during the televised meeting. The Moscow Times, an independent news source, was not able to provide immediate insights or comments on Moscow's claim due to the recent branding of the outlet as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government.

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