Ukrainian Army Commander Says Defending Bakhmut Is A Military Need

Ukrainian military illustration. (Source: President.gov.ua)

JAKARTA - The Commander of the Ukrainian Army said on Monday its troops continued to counter Russia's massive attacks in the eastern city of Bakhmut, saying defending the city was a "military necessity".

The Ukrainian military said Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi had acted during his visit to the east front to resolve "problems that hinder the implementation of effective combat tasks, making operational decisions aimed at strengthening the ability to hinder and cause damage to the enemy."

He gave no details, and did not say when the visit would take place, but Syrskyi's comments hinted at Ukraine's intention to continue fighting in Bakhmut, although many people died there.

"The most intense phase of fighting in Bakhmut continues. The situation is always difficult. The enemy suffered significant losses in terms of human resources, weapons and military equipment but continued to take offensive action," he said.

Praise the defense of Ukrainian troops in very difficult conditions, he said: "Keeping Bakhmut is due to military needs. We are calculating all options that allow for the development of events, and will react adequately to the current situation".

Last week, President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the Bakhmut area last week, distributing medals to soldiers on a morale-enhancing trip as Ukraine prepares for a possible counter-attack after 13 months of war.

President Zelensky said earlier this month he warned Russia would have an open path to capturing major cities in eastern Ukraine, if it succeeded in controlling the city of Bakhmut, defending its decision to keep Ukrainian troops in a trapped city, in an exclusive interview with CNN Wolf Blitzer from Kyiv.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Military Commander General Valery Zaluzhniy said on Saturday the situation around Bakhmut had been "stabilized".

"It's tactical for us," President Zelensky said, insisting that Kyiv military officials unite in extending his defenses over the city after weeks of Russian attacks left him on the verge of falling into the hands of Moscow troops.

"We understand that after Bakhmut, they can go further. They can go to Kramatorsk, they can go to Sloviansk, it will be an open path for Russia after Bakhmut to other cities in Ukraine, towards Donetsk," President Zelensky said.

Meanwhile, Moscow sees capturing the city as vital to completing the race for the Donbas industrial estate in eastern Ukraine, one of its main war destinations.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the seizure of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine was essential, to dig Ukraine's defenses and would allow Moscow troops to carry out offensive operations further into Ukraine.

"The release of Artyomovsk continues," Shoigu said in his televised remarks, using the old name of the Soviet Union era for Bakhmut.

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