Invaders advance in Bakhmut while Ukrainian forces liberate 20 square km in city’s suburbs
Defenders of Ukraine after the battle in the Bakhmut area (Photo:Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty/Serhii Nuzhnenko via REUTERS)
The continuing fierce fighting in the front line Donetsk Oblast town of Bakhmut is seeing Russian forces crawling forward in the city even as Ukrainian forces liberate square kilometers of suburbs to its north and south, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister of Hanna Malyar said in a Telegram post on May 16.
Malyar emphasized the importance of comprehensively understanding the progress of the battles without taking information out of context.
“In the course of several days, our forces have liberated approximately 20 square kilometers from the enemy in the northern and southern suburbs of Bakhmut,” Maylar said.
“However, the enemy is making some advances within Bakhmut itself, causing extensive destruction with artillery. Furthermore, the enemy is deploying units of professional paratroopers.”
Malyar pointed to the unwavering determination and exceptional efforts of the Ukrainian defenders – Despite the defense of Bakhmut having persisted for months, the Defense Forces have achieved progress in specific areas, thanks to the soldiers’ extraordinary efforts and the high professionalism of the defense command, she said.
“It’s important to remember that the enemy holds an advantage in terms of manpower and weaponry. However, due to the actions of our military, they have been unable to implement their plans in the Bakhmut axis since last summer,” added Malyar.
Lieutenant General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, previously visited the frontline troops and stated that the defenders of Ukraine are executing a counter-offensive in select areas near Bakhmut, employing the principle of active defense.
According to Syrskyi, the advance of the Ukrainian forces in the Bakhmut direction represents the first but partial success in offensive operations during the defense of Bakhmut.
On May 15, Serhiy Cherevatyi, a representative of the Eastern Operational Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, reported that the defenders of Ukraine had made significant advancements on the flanks in the Bakhmut area, ranging from 350 meters to 2 kilometers in certain zones over the past two days.
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