According to Marochko, Kiev was forced to deploy special forces and reserve units (some of them poorly trained) in the region and the vicinity of the town, also known as Bakhmut by the Ukrainians, before the advance of Russian forces.

Marochko stated that these movements refute Kiev’s rhetoric that this settlement has no strategic relevance, and stressed that the capture of Artiomovsk means opening the way to the strategically important cities of Soledar, Izium and Slavyansk.

In addition to impeding the advance of Russian and militia forces and carrying out a mobile defense including fight against panic and halting desertion in the Ukrainian ranks, Marochko said.

Ukrainian prisoners of war, during interrogations, spoke about punitive reprisals, executions and beatings, as well as the killing of civilians.

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