Russia Hopes To Seize Bakhmut Tomorrow Tuesday, Ukrainian General: Our Duty To Prevent That

JAKARTA - Russia is reported to be intensifying attacks on Bakhmut, hoping to seize the strategic city in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday, the top Ukrainian general in charge of the defense of the besieged city said on Sunday, vowing to prevent this.

Russia observes Victory Day every May 9, designating it as the country's national holiday, to commemorate the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

Commander of the Ukrainian ground forces Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi said Russian troops increased the intensity of shelling with heavy weapons on the city, started using more advanced equipment, and regrouped troops.

"Today, it is important to take decisions as quickly as possible and predict the enemy's actions," Syrskyi said on his Telegram channel, after what he said was an inspection of troops along the Bakhmut frontline.

"Russia still hopes to take the city on May 9. Our task is to prevent that," he emphasized.

The battle for the city once home to 70.000 people is significant for both sides, with Ukraine still holding parts of the city after more than 10 months of heavy fighting against regular Russian troops and Wagner mercenaries.

It is known that Moscow saw Bakhmut as a springboard for attacking other Ukrainian cities. Meanwhile, Kyiv has said before, by keeping Bakhmut, it will allow the military to prepare for a planned counteroffensive.

Separately, the head of the Russian mercenary Wagner Group Yevgeny Prigozhin is reportedly set to cancel the withdrawal of his troops from Bakhmut that was announced last week, due to a lack of supplies of the necessary ammunition.

General Syrskyi said the escalated fighting "shows that the enemy will not change their plans and is doing everything possible to take Bakhmut, continuing the offensive."