On August 5, 2014, Ukrainian military and volunteer battalions liberated the town of Maryinka from illegal armed groups of the Russian Federation. The operation was carried out by the Azov, Donbas, Shakhtarsk battalions and the 51st Separate Mechanized Brigade.
In the summer of 2014, Sector B forces began to systematically take control of the suburbs of Donetsk, creating footholds for further offensive.
On the morning of August 4, the Azov and Shakhtarsk battalions, then still volunteers, received an order to drive Russian occupation forces out of Maryinka. The volunteers were supported by armored vehicles from the 51st Mechanized Brigade. ATO forces attempted to split the militants' fortified area into two parts, but faced considerable resistance.
After a long standoff, Ukrainian troops managed to capture the central positions of the occupiers and began to "clean up" the city in the eastern and western directions. Unable to hold the city, Russian troops began shelling Marinka with mortars, grenade launchers, howitzers and Grad systems.
A year later, Russian mercenaries attempted to regain control of Maryinka, but the Ukrainian military repelled the attack. That battle is called one of the most successful operations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which was both defensive and counteroffensive.
Unfortunately, on December 26, 2023, the Russians occupied the city again. But the fight for our land continues...