Ukrainian forces are holding out against Russian offensive
A Ukrainian military official said on December 4 that the city of Bakhmut in the east of the country is becoming the top target of the Russian army.
Serhii Cherevatyi, a spokesman for the Ukrainian military in the east, said that the country's forces were holding off the Russian offensive in Bakhmut. According to the official, the situation on the ground was difficult but under control.
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The city of Bakhmut was severely damaged by fighting. Photo: Getty |
Russian units appear to have made some progress in the city in the past few days. “Bakhmut has become the number one target for the Russian army to break through our defenses, to advance in the direction of Pokrovsk, Sloviansk, Kramatorsk… to demonstrate some of their successes on the battlefield,” Mr. Cherevatyi said.
Earlier on December 3, the British Ministry of Defense said that Russia appeared to be planning to encircle the city of Bakhmut in Ukraine's Donetsk region with tactical attacks from the north and south. Taking control of Bakhmut would bring limited benefits but would allow Russia to attack Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.
“Bakhmut is seen as a symbolic political target for Russia,” the UK Ministry of Defence said in a statement posted on Twitter.
