Russian authorities in the Donetsk region said on Tuesday that Russian forces controlled nearly half of the territory of the city of Bakhmut, the epicenter of fighting in eastern Ukraine.
“Our artillery, our equipment and our troops are in [da cidade]. Control almost half of Artiomovsk [nome russo de Bakhmut]”Yan Gaguin, an adviser to Donetsk interim leader Denis Pushilin, told Russian television.
Gaguin pointed out that Bakhmut had become a “slaughterhouse” for Ukrainian troops.
However, the adviser did not rule out attempts by Ukrainians to conduct offensive operations in the city to prevent the fall.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the capture of the industrial city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine was key to launching a new offensive in the Donetsk region.. “This city is an important defense center for Ukrainian forces in Donbass. Capturing it will enable further offensive operations on the defensive lines of the Armed Forces of Ukraine”he said at a televised meeting of military officials
Earlier, Russian experts said Moscow forces held about 40 percent of Bakhmut’s territory, where fighting broke out more than eight months ago.
The head of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, admitted on Monday that Ukrainian soldiers will defend the besieged city “to the end”.
“They will fight for Artiomovsk to the end, that is clear”said Prigozhin on the Telegram social network.
Prigozhin also added that fighters of the Wagner group should also carry out their work to the end.
Source: DN
