The operation in Svyatogorsk is still ongoing, the Russians are in shock, – National Guardsman Markiv about the panic of the enemy

It became known on September 12 that Ukrainian defenders entered Svyatogorsk, Donetsk region. After heavy fighting that led to the city being occupied in the summer, the Ukrainian flag flies there again.

The occupiers did not wait for the Ukrainians in Svyatogorsk

However, the Svyatogorsk operation is still ongoing. Vitaliy Markiv, a National Guardsman, told channel 24 about this.

According to him, through professional efforts and well-coordinated work between the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard and the territorial defense, the defenders were able to cross the Seversky Donets and enter Svyatogorsk.

It was unexpected for the enemy, he just fired back anywhere on the go, collected his things, he couldn’t even always do it, and fled to other cities,” Markov said.

He noted that the invaders were really shocked how Ukrainian forces “brazenly” crossed the river. However, what is impudent for them is confident for Ukrainians, because they are fighting for their native land.

“The invader will have nothing left but captivity or death. He has one more chance – just return to where he came from, leave here all the weapons that he brought with him, and then we will figure it out,” the National Guard emphasized.

Markiv said that after the occupation and heavy fighting, the city was badly damaged. The private sector has more or less survived, but the civilian infrastructure has been almost completely destroyed. The Russians did not care where to hit – they hit high-rise buildings, and also robbed everything they could. Their main task was to intimidate the population, sow panic and chaos.

I think that as soon as everything goes well, we will definitely be able to rebuild everything and restore this city. Because these are our cities, this is our territory, this is our country, we need to do this,” the Ukrainian defender is convinced.

Victory is still far away

< p>Vitaly Markiv noted that, despite the lightning offensive and the de-occupation of a considerable part of the territory, one should not underestimate the enemy, think that a turning point has already come and we will celebrate the victory on New Year's Eve.

“According to in my opinion, it is still early, there is no need to rush. A very cold war is ahead of us, a very cold winter, and we need to be ready for this,” he summed up.

Note that on September 13, President Zelensky again gathered Headquarters of the Commander-in-Chief, where the top military leadership of Ukraine was present. They reported that the Ukrainian defenders had recaptured more than 4,000 square kilometers of territory. More than 300 settlements became free. Stabilization measures have already been taken there.