Russia Continues Efforts To Fight For Bakhmut, Ukraine Ensures Its Troops Survive, President Zelensky: No Other Position

President Zelensky when he met the Ukrainian military. (Source: President.gov.ua)

JAKARTA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly committed to defending his forces in Bakhmut, after days in which they appear to be stepping down, extending the bloodiest fighting in a bid to crush Moscow's attacking forces.

Moscow has sent thousands of troops in waves over the past few weeks to try to seize eastern Ukraine and secure its first battlefield victory in more than half a year.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops have dug further into the west and in recent days it appears that they are preparing to retreat.

However, President Zelensky's remarks in a speech last night indicated Kyiv had chosen not only to stay and fight but to strengthen the city, appearing confident Russia's loss in trying to storm it would be greater than defenders.

"The order unanimously supports the decision not to back down," President Zelensky said.

"There is no other position. I told the commander-in-chief to find the right troops to help our people in Bakhmut," he continued.

Russia, which launched a massive invasion of Ukraine a year ago and claims to have annexed nearly a fifth of its territory, said seizing Bakhmut would be a step to seize the surrounding Donbas industrial area, the goal of a major war.

"The release of Artemovsk continues," Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in his televised remarks, using the Soviet-era name for Bakhmut, which was re-adopted by attacking Russia.

"This city is an important center to defend Ukrainian troops in the Donbas. Taking control will allow further offensive action to be taken deep into Ukraine's defensive line," he said.

Separately, Western strategists say the destroyed city has limited value, and Russian attacks may aim for symbolic victories, following a winter attack involving hundreds of thousands of reserve soldiers and conscripted military fighters from Wagner's private army. However, not all Western experts agree with Ukraine's warring policies in Bakhmut.