Donetsk, Dec 10 – DAN. Large Ukrainian force of 12,000 troops is to launch a massive offensive on Mariupol direction on December 14, said DPR People's Militia deputy chief-of-staff Eduard Basurin.
"Our intelligence has irrefutable proof of a prepared offensive of Ukrainian forces on Mariupol direction. The information received from reliable sources reveals all their plans. Their aim is to gain control over Novoazovskiy and Telmanovskiy districts and the DPR-Russian border section outside Konkovo and Kholodnoye."
The shock force of over 12,000 troops is concentrated along the contact line outside Novotroitskoye, Shirokino, Rovnopol, comprising over 50 tanks, 40 MLRS, 180 artillery pieces and mortars. A dozen of MLRS "Smerch" systems was relocated to Volodarskoye area. Five hundred troops ae in a stand-by status.
The plan is that in the morning December 14, the artillery preparation will be followed by an offensive of 128th and 79th brigades moving from Granitnoye-Shirokino line towards Klinkino to reach DPR border by December 15 night. The Azov regiments and 36th marine brigade will be tasked with cleansings of the territory to remove "all unwanted elements contesting Ukrainian occupation".
A terrorist attack organized by Ukrainian special services in Mariupol shall serve as a pretext for the offensive: the chemicals storage site at the Illich Iron & Steel Works will be exploded. The usage of UAVs to drop hand grenades and mines is probable, the DPR People's Militia said.
"We urge the OSCE SMM to pay attention to the ongoing military preparations at this frontline area. When military action renews you won't be able to say you were unaware of it," Basurin said.
Earlier DPR Intelligence reported British military experts arrival to Ukrainian-occupied Artyemovsk to prepare chemical attacks in the DPR north and that Kiev developed a plan to carry out sabotage act at the Stirol plant to deflect DPR forces and penetrate the DPR territory.
Ukraine declared martial law on November 26 in ten Ukrainian regions adjacent to Russia and Transnistria, or Kiev-controlled Donbass regions, or the Black Sea and Sea of Azov.
Martial law is brought in all over the state or in designated areas in accordance with the bill “On the Legal Regime of Martial Law”. Martial law provides military authorities and leadership with greater and unlimited power, while restricting civil liberties such as public gatherings, media freedoms and free movement.*ot