Ukraine will continue to defend Bakhmut and strengthen its positions in an attempt to hold the besieged city in the eastern part of the country after months of Russian attacks, reports “Reuters”.
President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the situation in Bakhmut with senior commanders and two high-ranking generals declared themselves in favor continuing the defense of the eastern city against the Russian forces, announced the office of the head of state.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Valery Zaluzhny and the Chief of the Ground Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Sirsky “withhas spoken in support of continuing the defensive operation and further strengthening the (Ukrainian) positions in Bakhmut“.
Last night, the Ukrainian army reported that Russian forces were trying to advance towards Bakhmut, shelling the town and the nearby villages of Ivanovske, Chasov Yar, Kurdyumivka and Orihovo-Vasilovka.
USA: Fall of Bakhmut will not turn the tide of war for Russia
The capture of the city is more symbolic than operational
Earlier US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated that the fall of Bakhmut did not necessarily mean that Moscow had regained the initiative in the war.
The months-long battle for Bakhmut, currently home to only about 5,000 of its 70,000 population, has been one of the bloodiest battles of attrition during the year-long Russian invasion. Bakhmut is not a particularly big city, but after many months of efforts to hold it there is a serious symbolic meaning for the Ukrainian army. However, Volodymyr Zelensky himself has already stated that they will defend the city, “as long as it makes sense“.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported late last week that Kiev’s actions may point to an imminent Ukrainian withdrawal from parts of the city. It said Ukrainian troops may “carry out a limited and controlled withdrawal from particularly difficult sections of eastern Bakhmut” while seeking to impede Russian movement there and limit exit routes to the west.
Taking Bakhmut would not only give Russian fighters a rare battlefield victory after months of setbacks, but could cut off Ukraine’s supply lines and allow Kremlin forces to advance on other Ukrainian strongholds in eastern Donetsk region.
ISW: Ukrainian defense of Bakhmut remains strategically sound
According to Prigozhin, without “Wagner” the Russian front is collapsing
