Ukraine says 'situation under control' in eastern city of Bakhmut

Ukraine's deputy defence minister said on Friday that Russian forces had made some advances in intense fighting for the city of Bakhmut, but added that the situation in the eastern Ukrainian city was under control, news outlets reported.

A Ukrainian serviceman at a position near the frontline eastern city of Bakhmut, amid Russia's invasion, March 17, 2023.

Photo: EPA/MARIA SENOVILLA

Hanna Malyar made her comments shortly before Russia's defence ministry said its assault troops were now fighting in the western part of Bakhmut, the last area of the city still held by Ukrainian forces, the Reuters news agency reported.

Russia has claimed that it was on the verge of capturing Bakhmut, which Russians call by its Soviet-Russian name, Artyomovsk, since September.

But its gains have come in tiny increments at the expense of thousands of lives. https://t.co/dE2CJZW7DA

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) April 21, 2023

Ukraine has said prolonging the fight in Bakhmut has sapped Russia’s strength by killing many soldiers, especially from the Wagner mercenary group. https://t.co/dE2CJZW7DA

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) April 21, 2023

"The situation is tense, but under control," Malyar said on the Telegram messaging app on Friday, as quoted by Reuters.

"Decisions are being made according to military expediency," she added.

#Bakhmut Update:#Russian forces continued assault ops. in Bakhmut & its vicinity on Apr. 20. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that 🇺🇦 forces repelled 22 🇷🇺 attacks in the Bakhmut direction—specifically in Bakhmut City & the area of Khromove (2km NW). https://t.co/ZjrkXfdtXX pic.twitter.com/1gXNCLRDhW

— ISW (@TheStudyofWar) April 21, 2023

Here are today's control-of-terrain maps of #Russia's invasion of #Ukraine from @TheStudyofWar and @criticalthreats.

Interactive map, updated daily: https://t.co/hwgxTnU2Tr

Archive of time-lapse maps, updated monthly: https://t.co/IT6FiqwgGO pic.twitter.com/DmVgfi1Vsj

— ISW (@TheStudyofWar) April 20, 2023

Malyar said earlier this week that Russia was intensifying heavy artillery shelling and air strikes around the embattled city in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, according to a report by Poland's PAP news agency.

⚡️Ukrainian troops are already conducting counteroffensive actions at the front, including the defense of Bakhmut.

This was stated by Deputy Minister of Defense Hanna Malyar. pic.twitter.com/iTqxBE8kwM

— FLASH (@Flash_news_ua) April 19, 2023

Friday is day 422 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

This is a truly heartbreaking video.
Volunteers and soldiers from the 93rd Mechanized Brigade are assisting in the evacuation of Bakhmut civilians.

🎥 @ivlevyorke pic.twitter.com/xk6wYqCI98

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) April 18, 2023

This was Bakhmut before the terrorists decided to "liberate" it.
This beautiful city is now in ruins.
russia must be defeated so that the cancer of the "russian world" does not spread further. pic.twitter.com/iV3OCA8CoG

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) April 20, 2023

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters, The Washington Post