Soldiers' lives are more important: Zaluzhnyi comments on Marinka situation

Valeriy Zaluzhnyi said this during a press conference on Tuesday, December 26.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine commented on Russia's statement about the occupation of Marinka in Donetsk region.

"Ukrainian troops have withdrawn: in some places they have dug in on the outskirts of Marinka, and in others - a little further. We will defend ourselves as long as we have the strength. It is important to understand that it is better to save people and then win back," said Zaluzhnyi.

According to Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are still in the northern part of Marinka, although the Russian forces have wiped the town off the map. 

"There is no more Marinka," he said in a statement.

• On Monday, December 25, the Ukrainian Armed Forces denied that the Russian army had allegedly captured Marinka in Donetsk region, as Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to his President Vladimir Putin.