(Dan Tri) – The Ukrainian army announced that Bakhmut has not fallen and some areas in the Eastern city are still under Kiev’s control.
Tanks of Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut (Photo: AP).
`Our army controls the southwestern suburbs of the city in the ‘airplane’ area,` Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar announced on Telegram on May 23, referring to the remains of the monument
Ms. Maliar said the Ukrainian army conducted a small-scale offensive on the northern and southern flanks of the city of Bakhmut.
`Fighting continues in the suburbs. The enemy is trying to take advantageous positions, but without success. In some areas, the enemy is on the defensive. They have suffered heavy losses
Mr. Oleksiy Danilov, Ukraine’s national security advisor, also confirmed that part of Bakhmut city is still under Ukrainian control.
`If Russia claims they have captured Bakhmut, I can say that it is not true. As of today, part of Bakhmut is still under our control. I cannot confirm the whole thing, but some
Mr. Danilov supports the Kiev government’s decision to stay in Bakhmut city as long as possible.
`It was our strategic defense operation and we were successful, because we controlled this territory for 10 months, where we took down the enemy every day. They could not take Bakhmut in
`In the Bakhmut direction, a large number of Russian soldiers were killed, not only the Wagner troops, but also special forces, paratroopers and soldiers of other branches of the Russian army. A large amount of equipment was destroyed
Regarding the timing of Ukraine’s long-awaited counteroffensive campaign, Mr. Danilov confirmed that President Volodymyr Zelensky will be the one to make the final decision.
`We are acting according to our plan, we have planned. We are clearly aware of when, where, how to counterattack and what should be started. The final decision is up to
President Zelensky on May 23 visited soldiers on the Eastern front lines on the occasion of Ukrainian Marine Corps Day.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on May 20 that Russian forces took complete control of the city of Bakhmut during a special military operation in Ukraine.
Boss Wagner said this force will withdraw from Bakhmut from May 25 to June 1.