Zelensky says Ukrainian forces are holding the line, while Russia claims it is advancing – #Zelensky #Ukrainian #forces #holding #line #Russia #claims #advancing
February 21 (Reuters) – President Vladimir Zelensky said on Tuesday, after Russia said it was advancing on its main target in the region Ukraine forces maintain their position on the front line in the east.
of Ukraine Trying to ensure complete control of the two eastern provinces that make up the Donbas industrial region Russiasecuring the biggest gains around the mining town of Bakhmut, launched repeated attacks. Ukraine and Western officials say pro-Moscow forces have lost thousands.
Ukraine military in a night video address after detailed reports from the front at the command meeting Zelensky said: “Despite putting great pressure on our forces, it is very important that the frontline does not undergo any changes.”
he of Ukraine that the forces in Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the east are doing everything possible to prevent enemy attacks, “Russia “Despite the amazing losses, he did not allow this in any case,” he said.
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Russian soldiers trying to take Avdiivka, the second focal point of the attacks in the Donetsk region, even tearful gas he said that he also used bombs.
Russia Ministry of Defencesaid his forces were advancing in the direction of Bakhmut, which was destroyed after months of bombardment but is seen as a key battleground in the Kremlin’s takeover of other towns further west in Donetsk Oblast.
“Only in the last two days in the Artyomovsk region of Ukraine more than 2.5 km advance was recorded by the assault units on the fortified positions,” the ministry said, referring to Bakhmut, which was used during the Soviet era. Russia.
Ukrainian military analysts reported that the Russian forces were advancing hundreds of meters each time, and the fighting was spreading to some parts of the city.
The protracted struggle to secure control of Bakhmut has fueled a lively public debate within Ukraine about whether it is worth continuing to defend a city of limited strategic importance.
Zelensky admitted in an interview last week that the mounting casualties may come at a time when it will be impossible to continue to defend a city with only 5,000 residents left from its pre-war population of 70,000.
Reporting by Ron Popeski and Lydia Kelly; Edited by Chris Reese, David Ljunggren, and Daniel Wallis
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2023-02-22 03:29:44
Source – reuters
Translation“24 HOURS”