In its December 5 intelligence update, the UK Defense Ministry reports Russian forces’ creeping progress in Marinka, a Donetsk City western suburb, where they now likely control most of the devastated town. However, Ukrainian forces retain pockets of territory in the west.

The ministry tweeted:

• Over recent weeks Russian forces have made creeping advances through the ruins of Marinka, a town in Donetsk Oblast. Russia now likely controls most of the built-up area. However, Ukrainian forces remain in control of pockets of territory on the western edge of the town.
• Marinka has been on the front line since 2014. With a pre-war population of 9000, it is comprehensively ruined– drone footage suggests that the vast majority of buildings have been reduced to rubble.
• Russia’s renewed efforts against Marinka are part of Russia’s autumn offensive which is prioritising extending Russia’s control over the remaining parts of the Donetsk Oblast – highly likely still one of the Kremlin’s core war aims.

The aerial photos show the devastation in Marinka:

Так сьогодні виглядає зруйнована російськими загарбниками Марʼїнка на Донеччині ????

???? Сухопутні війська ЗС України pic.twitter.com/rFmWGLv9TO

— Ukrinform (@UKRINFORM) December 2, 2023

Read also:

• Russian missile attack on Donetsk’s Pokrovsk district kills one, injures 10 civilians, with four more trapped under the rubble
• ISW: Russia made no progress despite repeated attacks near Avdiivka, Marinka
• ISW: Avdiivka losses create long-term crisis for Russian military