The battles in Bachmut have been going on almost non-stop for over a year – and it shows.
New satellite images now show the enormous devastation.
Since last summer, Russia has been trying to occupy Bachmut, but the Ukrainian forces are not giving in.
The fierce fighting has left its mark on the city.
“Rows of apartment buildings, schools, shops and other infrastructure have been turned into smoking piles of rubble,” writes Sky News with reference to the Maxar news agency, which is also behind the images.
Great success
But the Ukrainian successes in the city are increasing. In recent weeks, Ukraine is said to have recaptured around 18 square kilometers.
There is also talk that the Ukrainian counter-offensive has already begun, based on the successes in Bachmut. But the information is rejected by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who says that more time is needed before the offensive can begin, and that they are waiting for the armored vehicles that were promised.
The satellite images are taken one year apart. The first pictures were taken in May 2022, when the war had raged for three months. The others in May 2023.
For several months there has been talk of the expected Ukrainian counter-offensive.
The military support from the West is crucial, but the weather conditions also matter, it must not be too muddy.
On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi stated that the first steps of the counter-offensive will be taken “soon”.
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba did not make any announcements during his visit to Sweden on the same day. “Instead of asking when the offensive will start – ask if you have done enough for the offensive to start,” he said.
On Friday, CNN reported that Ukraine began operational preparations for the counter-offensive and that it involved attacks on weapons depots, command centers and artillery systems.
There are also reports that Ukraine is gaining ground in the eastern town of Bachmut. According to the British Ministry of Defence, Ukraine has taken back at least one kilometer of land.
NATO stated at the end of April that it had delivered 98 percent of all promised combat vehicles to Ukraine and that thousands of Ukrainian soldiers had been equipped and trained.
Source: TT