The head of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner said on Wednesday that troops had taken “the entire western part” of the city of Bakhmut, the center of fighting in eastern Ukraine.
“Wagner’s units took over all of the western part of Bakhmut, everything east of the Bakhmutka River”Yevgeny Prigozhin said in an audio message.
In recent days, the pressure on the Ukrainian forces defending Bakhmut has increased significantly, given the Russian advance and the threat of encirclement.
The latest report, published Tuesday by the Institute for War Studies, a US panel, says Kremlin troops likely took the western part of the city after a “controlled withdrawal” by Ukrainian troops.
However, in an interview with US television channel CNN, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky assured that the troops were determined to defend the city. But he admitted Russia would have the “open road” to eastern Ukraine if it captured the city.
After Bakhmut, the Russians “they could go further, (…) to Kramatorsk, to Sloviansk, the way would be clear (…) to other cities in Ukraine”he explained.
“I met with the Chief of Staff and the military commanders (…) and they all say that we must stand our ground in Bakhmut”he added.
“Of course we have to think about the lives of our soldiers, but we have to do what is possible while receiving weapons. Our army is ready to counterattack”he added.
While Bakhmut’s strategic value is disputed, the city took on symbolic and tactical importance, given the heavy casualties suffered by both sides. It is the longest and deadliest battle since the start of the Russian offensive in February 2022.
Source: DN
