Ukraine Defends Bakhmut from Russian Pressure Despite High Cost

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• Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has committed to maintaining the defense of the eastern city of Bakhmut.
• Ukraine’s minister of foreign affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, has described a video circulating on social media of an unarmed Ukrainian prisoner of war being shot and executed as “disturbing”.
• The city’s significance is mainly symbolic, as experts suggest that it is not of strategic importance in the conflict.
• Yevgeny Prigozhin, the millionaire owner of the Wagner mercenary group which has spearheaded the Bakhmut offensive, has been in conflict with the Russian defence ministry for months.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin is delaying the announcement of a second mobilisation due to potential unrest in the country.

Ayrıntılar

Ukraine’s President Commits to Defending Bakhmut

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported that his top military commanders have committed to maintaining the defense of the eastern city of Bakhmut, which is currently facing strong pressure from Russia.

Ukraine’s minister of foreign affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, has described a video circulating on social media of an unarmed Ukrainian prisoner of war being shot and executed as “disturbing” and said it was further evidence of the conflict.

Mr Zelenskyy stated that his advisors had unanimously decided to continue the conflict in Bakhmut and not to withdraw, despite Russia attempting to gain control of the area for six months and a large number of their personnel being killed in the process.

Symbolic Significance of Bakhmut

The city’s significance is mainly symbolic, as experts suggest that it is not of strategic importance in the conflict and that Russia taking control of it would not necessarily be a major turning point.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the millionaire owner of the Wagner mercenary group which has spearheaded the Bakhmut offensive, has been in conflict with the Russian defence ministry for months, claiming that they have not provided his men with adequate ammunition – a claim which the ministry denies.

Mr Prigozhin stated that his units had encircled Bakhmut.

Russian Mobilisation Delayed

Reports indicate that Russian President Vladimir Putin is delaying the announcement of a second mobilisation due to potential unrest in the country, as suggested by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

In September of last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a partial mobilisation of forces.

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu stated that 300,000 reservists would be called up.

This action was seen as an indication that the conflict in Ukraine was not progressing as expected.