The city of Bakhmout, a major target of Vladimir Putin’s troops, is in a precarious situation, the governor of the Donetsk region, Pavlo Kirilenko, told Ukrainian television.
« There is not a single square meter in Bakhmout that is safe or out of range of enemy fire or drones. Russian artillery shells targets all along the front line in the area. »
As the first anniversary of Russia’s outbreak of war approaches on February 24, 2022, Moscow is stepping up operations in southern and eastern Ukraine and Kiev is expecting a full-scale assault.
The general secretary of theI’LL TAKEJens Stoltenberg, estimated on Monday that the offensive had already begun, given the number of bombings and ground attacks recorded in recent days.
The Ukrainian army said on Tuesday that it had repelled attacks against six positions in the Donetsk region and five in the Luhansk region, which make up the industrial region of Donbass, in the past 24 hours.
Ukrainian forces also repelled an attack on a town in the more northern Kharkiv region, recaptured by kyiv last September.
The situation is generally difficult, but controlled
confirmed Pavlo Kirilenko. The enemy was unable to achieve tactical or strategic success.
The offensive against Bakhmout is led by mercenaries from the Russian paramilitary group Wagner. According to British intelligence, the latter have made some progress in the past three days on the northern outskirts of the city, while their advance to the south seems more difficult.
Ten attacks per day
Bakhmout, the scene of a fierce battle for months, is largely destroyed and practically emptied of the approximately 70,000 inhabitants it had before the war. According to Pavlo Kirilenko, there are still around 5,000 civilians in the area, where the army has established fortified positions in anticipation of street battles.
The authorities still hope to reduce the number of civilians on the spot and try to evacuate the wounded.
Thank you to each of our soldiers who prevent the occupiers from surrounding Bakhmout […] and who hold key positions on the front
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his daily video address Monday evening.
According to Ukrainian officials, the Russians suffered heavy losses in men and equipment – tanks and armored vehicles, in particular – around Vouhledar, a locality located approximately 150 km south-west of Bakhmout.
Reuters is unable to independently verify reports of the fighting.
On the snowy front line between Vouhledar and Marinka, about thirty kilometers to the northeast, and 400 meters from Russian positions, two Ukrainian officers assured Tuesday that their forces were holding up against the redoubled assaults of Russian troops.
A Ukrainian soldier launches a rocket towards a Russian position near Marinka, in the Donetsk region.
Photo: Reuters / Marko Djurica
Before, there were two or three artillery and mortar attacks a day, today there are more than ten
said one of the officers, nicknamed the deputy
to a Reuters team. The artillery works harder than the enemy infantry.
Counter-offensive in the spring?
In Brussels, the Ministers of Defense ofI’LL TAKE and other allies of Ukraine have met again to discuss increased military aid to kyiv, which calls for fighter jets and long-range missiles.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said he expects a Ukrainian counter-offensive to begin in the spring. He added that the Russians are sending new recruits to the battlefield, saying they are poorly equipped and poorly trained.
NATO met in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss military support for Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.
Photo : Associated Press / Olivier Matthys
Lloyd Austin promised that kyiv’s allies would provide him with additional munitions as quickly as possible and would remain united in their support for Ukraine for as long as needed.
The question of ammunition is crucial, while Western production capacities are struggling to keep up with Ukraine’s needs.
It’s become a grueling war of attrition, and so it’s also a logistical battle
Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday, ahead of the meeting.
Regarding artillery, we need ammunition, spare parts, maintenance, all the logistics guaranteeing the use of weapon systems
added Mr. Stoltenberg.
