The Russian military is trying to create a pincer posture to isolate the Ukrainian defense forces inside the city of Bakhmut.
In an interview with Tass news agency on January 31, Colonel Vitaly Kiselev, a military expert from the Lugansk separatist militia, said fierce fighting continued in the city. Bakhmut street in Donetsk Oblast, Eastern Ukraine.
“In Bakhmut, fierce fighting is taking place and a pincer position is being formed after we reach Chasov Yar. The goal of this battle is to destroy artillery, weapons and troops. Ukrainian troops sent to reinforce Bakhmut from Chasov Yar, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. Besides, the pincer stance will also disrupt, progress to cut off the supply line for Bakhmut, “said Kiselev.
In addition, Colonel Kiselev confirmed that fighting on the Bakhmut front was being conducted by soldiers from the private Wagner military company. This force is now close to the arterial road connecting Chasov Yar with Bakhmut. Cutting off this route is being considered a key task of the Russian and allied armies because it is the main supply route for ammunition, weapons, food and medicine for Bakhmut.
“There will be no urgent raid on Bakhmut but our artillery and fighter jets are actively engaged today. Many precision raids have been carried out on supply positions. Ukraine’s army. The plan to send troops of Azov Battalion to reinforce this front will certainly fail,” he added.
According to Kiselev, Ukrainian military commanders are trying to convince President Volodymyr Zelensky to withdraw the defensive forces from the “pot of fire” in eastern Ukraine. However, this decision is still under review.
Earlier, Ukrainian officials also acknowledged that the fighting in Bakhmut was taking place in an extremely fierce way, turning the city into a “hell”.
“Over the past five, six months, Bakhmut has really become a hell. The attacks are carried out non-stop,” said deputy commander of the Svoboda battalion of the Ukrainian National Guard, Vladimir Nazarenko. strong.
Mr. Nazarenko also revealed that the severe winter weather in Bakhmut is turning in an unfavorable direction for the Ukrainian defense forces, thereby affecting the fighting spirit, combat effectiveness and living conditions of the Ukrainian troops. soldiers on the front lines.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has not yet commented on the above information. Earlier, President Zelensky and many senior Kiev officials have repeatedly affirmed that the Ukrainian defense forces in Bakhmut will do their best to hold the battleground.
