Ukrainian Military Praises Troops' Success In Launching First Counterattack In Bakhmut

The Ukrainian military in Bakhmut. (Twitter/@DefenceU/Viktor Bominets)

JAKARTA - The Ukrainian military on Monday praised the recent progress around Bakhmut, as the first successful counter-attack in the battle against Russian troops fighting for control of the city in the eastern part.

Nevertheless, Kyiv also said that the situation in Bakhmut was still difficult. They warned that Moscow would not change its goal of capturing the city and sending attack troops to the outskirts of Bakhmut.

The Ukrainian military said last week it had pushed Russian troops back into and around Bakhmut after months of fierce fighting. Moscow acknowledged that its troops had withdrawn to the north of the city.

"The progress of our troops along the Bakhmut direction is the first success of offensive measures to defend Bakhmut," Ukrainian Army Commander Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi said in a statement posted on the Telegram messaging app.

"The last few days have shown that we can move forward and destroy enemies even in very difficult conditions," he said.

"We fought with fewer resources than the enemy. At the same time, we were able to destroy the plan," he said.

It is known that Kyiv is later expected to launch a major counter-attack to try to retake Russian-occupied territory.

However, Ukrainian officials have indicated that the profits around Bakhmut do not indicate that a broader counter-attack has begun.

Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malar said the fierce fighting was still ongoing in and around Bakhmut, that "all" was difficult there.

"Russia has not changed their goals. They sent attack troops to the outskirts of Bakhmut," Maliar wrote on Telegram.

Moscow, which launched a massive invasion of Ukraine nearly 15 months ago, sees Bakhmut as a stepping stone to attack other cities in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Kyiv has said earlier, by defending Bakhmut, their military can prepare for the expected counter-attack.