Last words on a ruined wall. Tale of a Russian soldier forced to fight in the devastating Marinka siege

The war has left deep scars, not only on the defending Ukrainians but also on the invading Russians. Among these invaders are individuals forced onto the battlefield against their will, as was the case with one soldier who lost his life in the recent Marinka (Donetsk province) skirmish.

Marinka, a small town situated on Donetsk's outskirts, has seen fierce fighting of late. While Ukrainians considered the town a component of their defensive line, the Russians viewed it as a strategic location to be taken to force the Ukrainian armed forces out of the regional capital. The area was virtually leveled by the invading forces.

The cost of the assault was heavy for the Russians, with many soldiers paying for their lives. One of these soldiers left behind a hasty 'letter' to his loved ones, knowing his end was near.

An ambush was set by the Ukrainians for the Russian forces, and Roman Rudakov realized he wouldn't survive the imminent battle. He hurriedly wrote a note to his family on a wall of a ruined house. Ukrainians discovered this message and preserved the inscribed brick. Hours later, Rudakov and his squad were killed in action.

Whoever finds me, take care of my mother, sister, and brother. Roman Alexandrovich Rudakov - he penned swiftly.

Ukrainian defenders circulating Rudakov's message emphasized the tragic fate of thousands of Russian soldiers forced to fight on the front lines against their will. Commentators argue that such tragic ends could have been avoided if invaders chose to stay home like Roman and his comrades engaged in Donetsk.

Marinka has been on the front line since 2014. Its pre-war population of over nine thousand now lies in ruin. Drone footage reveals the extensive destruction of buildings, wrecked by Russian forces to undermine Ukrainian defense tactics in the ruins.

Today, Ukrainians argue that no standing structure remains, and the town is deserted.

The Russian flag has flown over the city's western outskirts since mid-December, as reported by the Ukrainian agency Unian. Ukrainian defenders were last reported to be holed up in the "last two houses, which they bravely defended". However, they eventually lost control over the town they had managed to reclaim just weeks prior.

Marinka served as a crucial base leading to Donetsk and a significant resistance point. The Russians captured it at a steep price, but speculation remains that they may soon lose it again.