The crisis in Bakhmut: Wagner's assault forces gaining ground
Ukrainian forces are facing heavy pressure from Russian assault troops of the Wagner Group, who are trying to advance towards the city centre. This is causing intense military activity in the area, with shelling, artillery fire and air strikes.
In short, the situation in Bakhmut in the Donetsk region remains tense, prompting Ukrainian troops to reinforce their defences. This has been reported by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, with reference to the commander of the ground forces, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrsky.
Ukrainian soldiers are inflicting severe losses on the enemy in the fighting on the border. Artillery, tanks and other firearms are helping to repel Russian attempts to take the town of Bakhmut. Soldiers have shown how they are destroying the occupiers in their positions. These actions are a sign of Ukraine's determination to defend its territory and sovereignty.
The head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, described the situation in Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine as "very difficult" and said that Ukraine is fighting for every metre. Prigozhin said the battles are getting tougher as the group approaches the city centre. Prigozhin further assured that Wagner's units are ready to advance and that they have proven their bravery on the battlefield by fighting Ukrainian forces. Over the weekend, fighters of the paramilitary group reportedly took up favourable positions in the industrial zone of the AZOM metallurgical plant in Bakhmut. These positions allow Russian troops to monitor enemy movements, as well as create a good beachhead for the future advance of their forces. These kinds of advances, Prigozhin said, are the key to securing a final victory for Russian troops in the Ukrainian war.
The goal of Russian troops is to build a road through this strip that would allow Russia's access to Crimea to be expanded. The "land corridor" is a strip of land connecting the Russian mainland with the Crimean peninsula. For this reason, Bakhmut is a key city for the occupier, as it is the connecting point.
Oleksiy Hetman, a veteran of the Russo-Ukrainian war, commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, stated in an interview that the enemy might try to encircle his troops by advancing from the north towards Bakhmut and from the south from Hulyai-Pole and Vuhledar. These plans are no secret to the enemy, and even if they do not succeed in carrying them out, they will not abandon them, but need a pause to gather their forces and try again.
Hetman argues that in order to prevent a successful invasion by the enemy, the Ukrainian army must stop the enemy in three main areas, which include the western front, southern Ukraine and control of the border. In addition, according to him, Ukraine must have a sufficient number of shells to defend itself. This would be necessary to ensure that Ukraine has the capacity to withstand a successful enemy offensive and be ready to respond quickly to any Russian threat.
President Volodimir Zelenski recently reported that Russia has lost more than 1,100 troops near Bajmut in less than a week. This figure is indicative of the intense fighting in eastern Ukraine. Colonel General Oleksandr Sirskyi explained that, despite these huge losses, it was necessary to hold Bakhmut to buy time for a counteroffensive in the spring.
The Ukrainian President thanked all those who serve and fight for Ukrainian land and for Bakhmut, including the Armed Forces, Ukrainian intelligence services, fighters of various units, the National Guard and border guards. The importance of continuing to work together to defend Ukraine's freedom and sovereignty was emphasised.