ROSTOV-ON-DON, January 20. /TASS/. The Ukrainian army has been trying to move heavy military equipment to Maryinka in order to hold back the advance of Russian forces, the acting head of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), Denis Pushilin, said at the opening ceremony of the first semi-final of the Donetsk People's Republic’s personnel competition Leaders of Revival on Friday.

"As for Maryinka, after we’ve seized the commanding heights the fighting is continuing in areas of private households. There are some industrial buildings that the enemy is still trying to retain to hinder the advance of our units. It is difficult for us. It is not easy. The enemy does not give up. No signs for now it may lay down arms. Also, the enemy is bringing in reserves and trying to redeploy heavy equipment as well in order to obstruct our advance as long as possible," he answered a TASS question.

Earlier, Pushilin said that the establishment of control of Maryinka and Avdeyevka would make Ukrainian bombardments of Donetsk less frequent.