Violent clashes between Ukrainian and Russian forces continue in the city of Bahmut. According to the commander of the Ukrainian ground forces, the fighting will continue.
Ukraine aims to exhaust the Russian forces and inflict heavy losses on them in Bahmut.
Commander of the Ground Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi spoke to soldiers in an empty warehouse on Tuesday.
– Our goal is to start a counterattack, Syrskyi says in a video published on the Telegram video service.
Fierce clashes between Ukrainian and Russian forces continue in the small town of Bahmut in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine. Both countries have assessed the other side’s losses as heavy.
The control of Bahmut and its surroundings has been fought for several months, even though the city has little strategic importance.
According to the Reuters news agency, Russia considers the acquisition of Bahmut vital in order to gain full control of the Donbas industrial area in eastern Ukraine.
About 70,000 people lived in Bahmut before the war, but the city has been practically destroyed in about eight months during intense fighting.
Bahmut’s Defense is a “Military Necessity”
Syrskyi met with troops near the frontline as Ukraine prepares for a possible counter-offensive after April 13.
According to him, Bahmut’s defense is a “military necessity”.
Syrskyi’s remarks emphasize Ukraine’s desire to hold on to Bahmut rather than withdraw to reduce casualties.
– Our goal is to eliminate the enemy so that they die here, near Bahmut, Syrskyi said.
Also the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi visited Bahmut last Wednesday.
During his visit, Zelenskyi handed out medals to soldiers fighting in Bahmut. Zelenskyi shared a video of the visit on their Telegram channel (you will switch to another service).
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