Despite the Russian army's gradual advances in the Maryinka area, British intelligence believes that a significant Russian breakthrough in the direction of Kurakhove is extremely unlikely. This is stated in the intelligence review of the British Ministry of Defense dated December 15.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 15 December 2023. <br><br>Find out more about Defence Intelligence&#39;s use of language: <a href="https://t.co/0JXdZR8MJv">https://t.co/0JXdZR8MJv</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StandWithUkraine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StandWithUkraine</a> <a href="https://t.co/8FLaFF0Kgx">pic.twitter.com/8FLaFF0Kgx</a></p>&mdash; Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) <a href="https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1735638403029279155?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The department notes the ongoing heavy fighting for control of the destroyed Maryinka and its surroundings.


"Russia is likely to have reduced small pockets of Ukrainian-controlled territory within the city's borders," the review says.


It notes that one of Russia's operational goals in the area is to control the 00510 and H15 highways in order to further advance toward Kurakhove.


"Despite its gradual advance, a major operationally significant Russian breakthrough in this sector looks extremely unlikely," British intelligence claims.