Russian Troops Fail to Take Bakhmut and Stuck at Zoledar, President Zelensky: We Won Overtime

President Zelensky visited his troops at the forefront. (Source: President.gov.ua)

JAKARTA - President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday that the resilience of Ukrainian troops against a wave of attacks in the eastern Donbas region has helped the country gain additional time and strength.

"Thanks to the toughness of our army in Soledar, we have won additional time and strength for Ukraine," President Zelensky said in his evening address.

A Ukrainian military report said the country's troops withstood a heavy push by the Russian military which was redeploying in Soledar after failing to take the larger town of Bakhmut nearby.

Earlier, President Zelensky said Ukrainian troops were repelling persistent attacks on the town of Bakhmut in the eastern Donbas region and were holding their positions near Soledar in very difficult conditions.

"Bakhmut held out in spite of everything. And although most of the city has been destroyed by the Russian offensive, our soldiers have continuously repulsed Russian attempts to advance. Soledar has held out, despite even greater devastation and extremely difficult circumstances," said President Zelensky.

President Zelensky did not make it clear what he meant by gaining time and power. However, Ukrainian officials and senior officers have warned Russia is planning a new major offensive in the coming months.