Ukrainian forces in the vicinity of Bakhmut (AFP)
Russia and Ukraine
Fierce battles continue in eastern Ukraine between Russian and Ukrainian forces, with a slight advance for Wagner’s forces fighting alongside the Russian army.
In the latest development, Igor Kimakovsky, advisor to Denis Pushilin, acting “President of the Donetsk People’s Republic” according to the Russian definition, announced that the Wagner Group is now fighting in central Bakhmut, Donetsk, adding that Russian forces control all roads leading to the city.
However, he made it clear, in an interview with Sputnik, today, Monday, that it is still too early to talk about cordoning off the city.
In addition, he pointed out that the Ukrainian forces are trying to deliver the equipment to the city, but they are incurring heavy losses.
He continued, stressing that “most of the roads are under Russian control, but he pointed out that the Ukrainians can, at the present time, move their forces and equipment along another road, which is Chasov Yar-Bakhmut.”
Video from Bakhmut
On the other hand, Andriy Yermak, who is in charge of the Ukrainian presidential office, published a video of the fighting in Bakhmut.
And he wrote in a comment on social media, saying, “The 93rd Brigade operates in Bakhmut Castle … orcs have turned into skeletons,” according to what Ukrainian media reported.
A few days ago, the commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, General Oleksandr Sersky, visited the besieged Bakhmut to raise the morale of the soldiers and talk to the units stationed in the city and its environs in the east of the country.
While the Russian forces continued to focus their attacks along Kobyansk and parts of Liman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Shakhtar to the east, according to what the Ukrainian army announced.
It is noteworthy that Bakhmut, which is located in the part controlled by the Ukrainian forces of the Donetsk region, which Russia announced its annexation, is an important center for supplying the Ukrainian forces in Donbass with weapons and equipment.
Wagner’s forces formed a spearhead in the fighting in that area several months ago, and in the past few days they have already managed to control some areas in the vicinity of that strategic city, while the Russian-Ukrainian war entered its second year amid Russian preparations for a major attack expected in the spring.