Ukraine pushes Russia away from vital road, concentrates on holding out in Bakhmut

Ukrainian soldiers fight in Bakhmut (Photo: AFP).

Yuriy Fedorenko, a Ukrainian military officer, said on March 25 that Ukrainian soldiers had "pushed back" Russian forces from the "vital road" at Bakhmut by a "considerable distance", leaving Russia unable to control the road.

Fedorenko added that Ukrainian forces had “improved their positions” in the city, although he acknowledged that “the fighting remains very difficult”. Fedorenko said Ukraine was “holding the line in the most difficult areas” and had achieved some tactical successes.

According to Fedorenko, Russian forces "continuously advance in the direction of Bakhmut and are constantly trying to advance."

General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, also acknowledged the difficult situation in Bakhmut.

"I informed my colleagues about the fighting situation along the entire front line. The situation in the Bakhmut direction remains the most difficult. Thanks to the significant efforts of the defense forces, the situation has been stabilized," General Zaluzhny announced after a conversation with the British Chief of the Defense Staff , Admiral Tony Radakin on March 25.

"We also discussed strengthening Ukraine's air defense," Radakin added.

General Zaluzhnyi also thanked Britain and its allies for their support for Ukraine.

"Thanks to the help of our partners, we are holding out and will definitely win," Zaluzhnyi declared.

According to Ukrainian military spokesman Serhiy Cherevaty, Russian attacks in and around the city of Bakhmut have recently dropped to less than 20 per day, compared with at least 30 in previous days.

The British Ministry of Defense believes that the Russian offensive on Bakhmut has largely stalled. The British side believes that this may be due to the serious losses of Russian forces.

"However, Ukraine also suffered heavy casualties while defending (at Bakhmut)," the British Ministry of Defence added.

The British Ministry of Defense predicts that Russia has shifted its focus to the nearby Avdiivka area - which Ukrainian officials have previously warned could become a second Bakhmut. Britain believes Russia is likely to want to stabilize the front line and operate in a more defensive manner.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said Russian attacks in and around Avdiivka were repelled on March 25, but did not provide details.

Ukraine has recently made a series of strong statements, expressing its determination to reverse the situation and protect the city of Bakhmut in Donetsk province from Russian fire. Ukrainian military commanders said that Russia is suffering heavy losses after fierce fighting in Bakhmut over the past several weeks.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the Ukrainian army will continue to hold out in Bakhmut as long as possible and continue to strengthen the city's defenses. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Army Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said that Russia is losing a lot of troops in Bakhmut and is running out of resources, so the Ukrainian army will soon move to counterattack in Bakhmut.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/ukraine-day-lui-nga-khoi-con-duong-huyet-mach-quyet-cam-cu-o-bakhmut-20230326093623368.htm