Donetsk, Dec 13 — DAN. Adverse weather conditions are complicating Russian offensive operations against Ukrainian troops positions in the Donetsk People’s Republic, DPR People’s militia “Diesel” tank battalion commander Pyotr Ruchyev told the Donetsk News Agency on Tuesday.
“My unit is focused on the Avdeyevka axis, ” Ruchyev said. “No ground has been gained; artillery duels are ongoing. You see that the weather is bad, not suitable for an offensive. For example, it is difficult for the tanks to advance. So we’re not going to see any big success for now. We have to wait for the ground to freeze.”
At the same time, Ruchyev said that DPR troops were pushing forward in central and suburban Maryinka.
The “Diesel” tank battalion is one of the main attack units of the Donetsk People’s Republic militia. Its servicemen fought for Shakhtyorsk and Yelenovka in 2014, and broke though Ukrainian invaders’ defense lines in the Uglegorsk area and in the Debaltsevo operation in 2015.*jk