Russian forces ousted from some positions in Bakhmut: Ukraine general
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Ukrainian servicemen running for cover during shelling near the front-line city of Bakhmut in Ukraine on April 30, 2023.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
KYIV – Ukrainian counter-attacks have ousted Russian forces
During the past few months, the battle for Bakhmut has become the fulcrum of a conflict that has seen little shift in front lines since late 2022, leaving both sides looking for a breakthrough.
“The situation is quite difficult,” said Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of ground forces, in a statement on Telegram. “At the same time, in certain parts of the city, the enemy was counter-attacked by our units and left some positions.”
Gen Syrskyi made the remarks while visiting front-line troops on Sunday, the military said.
He added that new Russian units, including paratroopers and fighters from the Wagner mercenary group, were being “constantly thrown into battle” despite taking heavy losses. “But the enemy is unable to take control of the city,” the general said.
Russian forces have steadily made incremental gains in Bakhmut. But a Ukrainian military spokesman said on Sunday it was still possible to supply the defenders with food, ammunition and medicine.
Ukraine said on Monday its forces had repelled more than 36 enemy attacks on the part of the eastern front line that stretches from Bakhmut to Maryinka, just west of Donetsk.
Kyiv is preparing to mount a widely expected counter-offensive to retake swathes of territory in the east and south that were occupied by Russian forces following the invasion, which Moscow calls a “special military operation”, 15 months ago. REUTERS
