Ukrainian victory Armed Forces of Ukraine: Internal Affairs Ministry: Post-Minsk II conflict Attacks on civilians Related In late August and early September 2014, Russian and Russian-backed separatist troops supporting the Donetsk People's Republic advanced on the government-controlled port city of Mariupol in southern Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine.

A column of Russian tanks and military vehicles was reported to have crossed into Ukraine on 25 August near Novoazovsk located on the Azov sea, heading towards Ukrainian-held Mariupol,[5][6][7][8][9] in an area that had not seen pro-Russian presence for weeks.

[12] and Russian soldiers began arresting and deporting to unknown locations all Ukrainians who did not have an address registered within the town.

[citation needed] Also, the Azov battalion started to train Mariupol citizens in self-defense and organize popular militias to defend the city.

The Ukrainians repelled the attack but lost four tanks and retreated with the three remaining to the Army checkpoint on the outskirts of Mariupol.

[23] On October 23, 2014, prime minister of the DPR Alexander Zakharchenko vowed to retake the cities it had lost, stating "Periods of intense hostilities will follow.

"[24] On October 29, 2014, Mariupol city authorities said that Ukrainian positions in the village of Talakivka came under Grad and rocket fire from DPR forces.