Ukrainian forces have faced relentless Russian attacks on Bakhmutka, with both sides reporting an ever-increasing number of casualties in the fighting around the banks of Bakhmutka, which now marks the front line, the news agency writes. Reuters.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi informed in his address on Sunday, March 12, that Ukrainian forces have killed more than 1,100 Russian soldiers in the last few days. “In less than a week, since March 6, more than 1,100 enemy soldiers have fallen in the vicinity of Bakhmut alone, and this is Russia’s inevitable loss right there, near Bakhmut,” said the president. He added that about 1,500 more Russian soldiers were injured enough to be unable to participate in hostilities.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reports that more than 220 Ukrainians were killed in the Donetsk region in the last 24 hours. Reuters confirmation of these reports could not be obtained, and neither party has reported their own losses.
Ukraine controls the western part of Bakhmut, while Russian mercenaries, for the Wagner group, has managed to take over the eastern side of the city.
On March 12, the owner of the mercenary group, Yevgenii Prigozhin, admitted that the situation in Bakhmut is very difficult: “The closer we get to the city center, the more difficult the battles are… Ukrainians use endless reserves. However, we are moving forward and will continue to move forward.» Prigozhin stated that the mercenaries received ammunition from the regular army. He previously accused Moscow of deliberately withholding ammunition. The Ministry, however, denied these accusations. Wagner groups the owner also announced that after the capture of Bakhmut, the recruitment of new fighters will begin – the group has opened recruitment centers in 42 cities to renew and replenish its ranks.
Although experts do not overestimate the strategic importance of Bakhmut, Russia sees the capture of the city as a step closer to greater victories to take over all of Donbas.
Ukraine has decided to stay and fight for Bakhmut after some signs suggested a retreat was being planned. Currently, the best brigades of the Russian army are being depleted in the battles near Bakhmut.
Military experts believe that Ukraine’s counteroffensive could begin in late April and May, when weather conditions improve and military equipment, including tanks, arrives Challenger and Leopard. The commander of the Ukrainian tank brigade, Leonid Hoda, stated that the western tanks will significantly change the tactics of the war: “Everyone is waiting, including the 1st tank brigade. We recently sent personnel to training to learn how to operate the Leopard 2A6.» Hoda commands a brigade fighting south of Donetsk.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, has called on Germany to speed up the supply of ammunition, and to start training Ukrainian pilots to fly Western fighter jets. Kuleba made it clear that he did not expect the fighter jets to be delivered soon, but said that the pilots should be ready when the decision is made.
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