Russia claims to have gained full control of Marinka in eastern Ukraine, but the Ukrainian military denied this, stating that fierce fighting for the town continued, Reuters reports.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told Russian President Vladimir Putin that Marinka had been captured, allowing Russian forces to expand their operational area and move enemy combat units away from Donetsk. The alleged capture of Marinka would mark Russia’s most significant territorial gain since May.
However, Ukrainian military spokesman Oleksandr Shtupun refuted the claim, stating that Ukrainian forces were still within the administrative borders of Marinka, and battles for the city continued. The town, located southwest of Donetsk, has been the site of intense fighting with Ukrainian forces building strong fortifications to repel Russian attacks.
