Ukraine declares it will not withdraw from Bakhmut

Ukraine's president's office said senior military commanders had agreed to hold Bakhmut (known in Russia as Artyomovsk) - a strategic city in the Donbass region - after German media said Kiev's top general had encouraged a withdrawal.

Photo: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelensky on March 6 held a scheduled meeting with senior government officials responsible for the military in the conflict with Russia.

“The president asked the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny (and another senior commander) about further actions in the direction of Bakhmut. They supported continuing the defense and further strengthening of our positions in this city,” the statement from the Office of the President of Ukraine said.

Earlier in the day, Germany's Bild newspaper said President Zelensky and Mr Zaluzhny disagreed on the best course of action in the besieged city. It cited sources in the Ukrainian government as saying the general had advised the president to withdraw troops several weeks ago, but the suggestion was rejected.

Bakhmut lies on a vital Ukrainian supply route. If Moscow takes control of the city, it will cut off Ukraine's last supply route there and allow it to extend its offensive to other cities in Donetsk still held by Ukraine.

On March 2, Mr. Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner Private Military Company, declared that the city was “practically completely surrounded” and called on President Zelensky to order the Ukrainian army to evacuate./.