Russian troops are only 300 meters from the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, trying to keep Maryinka, or rather what is left of it. This suburb of Donetsk, located 24 km from the capital of the DPR, previously had 9 inhabitants. Now there are only soldiers who have equipped trenches and trenches among the ruins.
Positional warfare on the front line. There are many ways to lose life in this mud and slush. Russian troops are constantly shelling Ukrainian positions with helicopters and heavy artillery from a distance of several kilometers and sending small groups of soldiers to try to infiltrate the trenches of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the dark of night.
- say journalists from the American edition of the New York Times, who visited the front line.
As indicated, the RF Armed Forces, who tried to take Maryinka a year ago, changed tactics. Now assault platoons of 12 to 15 people are on the offensive with the support of tanks and armored vehicles, divided into tactical groups of three fighters. During the attack, Russian spotters identify enemy positions, which open up a "flurry of mortar and artillery fire."
Holding positions comes at a huge cost. Two days before the NYT visit, the 79th Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine suffered heavy losses
- says the publication.
The words of a French captain who participated in the positional battles of the First World War are quoted:
Infantry units disappear into the fire like bundles of straw.