Ukrainian authorities said this Sunday, September 17, that their military forces had recaptured Klichtchiïvka, a tactically important locality south of the town of Bakhmut on the eastern front.
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Two days after the announcement of the resumption of the village of Andriivka – contradicted by Russia – the Ukrainian authorities announced this Sunday the reconquest of the town of Klichtchiïvka. This town located south of Bakhmout, in the Donetsk region, and which had a few hundred inhabitants before the Russian invasion, was taken by Russian forces last January.
“ Klichtchiïvka: well done! “, applauded Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his daily video message, listing the units that took part in the operation. “ Klichtchiïvka was cleared of the Russians », echoed on social networks Oleksandre Syrsky, commander of the Ukrainian army.
Ilia Ievlach, spokesperson for the Ukrainian troops on the Eastern Front, for his part explained that the capture of Klichtchiïvka could help the army encircle Bakhmut, taken last May by Russian forces after one of the longest and bloodiest battles since the Russian invasion in February 2022. “ We gained a bridgehead there which will allow us in the future to continue to carry out offensive operations and to liberate our land. “, Ilya Yevlach said on Ukrainian television.
“ It is above all the control of logistics routes which make it possible to supply Bakhmout. It is (also) the exposure of the flanks, particularly to the south, which will allow us to advance more effectively deep into the enemy ranks. “, he added, while Ukrainian forces are striving, in the east and south, to cut the Russian army’s logistical lines which connect Russian territory to Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula occupied since 2014 . “ The railway is very important to the Russians. Fierce battles take place » for its control in this area, specified the spokesperson for the Ukrainian troops on the Eastern Front.
The counter-offensive did not fail »
Ukraine launched a counter-offensive in June to retake territories occupied by Russia, after receiving Western weapons and training new battalions. But this one encountered powerful lines of defense built by the Russians, including minefields and anti-tank traps.
The Ukrainian counter-offensive did not fail », However judged the American chief of staff, invalidating the analyzes of certain observers. “ This offensive, although slow, slower than expected, remained constant », Said General Mark Milley in an interview with CNN, assuring that the Ukrainians still had “ with a significant strike force “. The general, however, conceded that he “ will take a long time » to achieve the goal of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky « to fire all the Russians ” from the country. These comments echo those made by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg who, in an interview with a German media group published this Sunday, warned that it was necessary “ prepare for a long war “.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will be received at the White House on Thursday for new discussions with President Joe Biden on supporting Kiev against the Russian invasion. This trip comes at a time when the American Congress is debating a new envelope of 24 billion dollars in military aid for kyiv. Volodymyr Zelensky should also go to the Capitol to meet the Republican and Democratic leadership.
(With AFP)