The situation is becoming increasingly difficult as Russian forces advance gradually from the northern and western directions of the Bakhmut battleground in eastern Ukraine, Ukrainian officials said on Saturday.
According to the Office of the President of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a regular video address that day, “I am in constant contact with the commanders. In particular, we are monitoring the situation in the eastern and Donetsk regions,” he said. “The situation in Bahmut is getting more and more difficult.”
“The enemy (Russian forces) is constantly destroying everything that can be used to protect positions, secure strongholds and defend them,” he criticized.
“Our warriors who protect the Bahmut region are true heroes. I am grateful to each and every one of them,” he added.
President Zelensky also said, “Today began with an Iranian drone attack. “We shot down 11 of 14 planes, but unfortunately were hit and suffered casualties,” he said. “This is why we need modern fighters.” “We need modern fighters to protect the entire territory,” he said. The air defense network is completed only when advanced aircraft are supported,” he said, again requesting advanced fighter support from the West.
According to CNN, a commander in the Bahmut region also said in a video message posted on Telegram, “The situation in all directions in Bahmut is difficult. (Russian forces) are trying to encircle us.”
“Especially the situation on the northern flank is extremely difficult. There is constant enemy attack there,” he added. “They are trying to cut off one of the roads.”
“We don’t have enough means to attack. “We don’t have enough shells and we don’t have enough grenade launchers,” he said. “The weather is also a problem, it’s always foggy and you can’t see anything at night. For three days in a row, the temperature is above freezing, and everything is melting. The humidity is high and it rains continuously during the day, which affects the performance of the mission.”
Eastern Army spokesman Serhi Cherevati also said in a local broadcast, “Bahmut remains the epicenter of enemy attacks. They are concentrating on breaking through our defenses.”
“There were 300 attacks of various types of shells and multiple rocket launchers on this front line, and 60 battles were fought, 63 soldiers were killed and 141 were wounded,” Cherevati added.
Source: Donga
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