Bakhmut has little strategic value in the war, but winning there has become a defining moment for both Russia and Ukraine. Read more at straitstimes.com.
CHASIV YAR, Ukraine – Lined up in the dark in civilian vehicles, lights dimmed, a company of soldiers waited silently at the side of a road. Farther behind, a second company was parked, an occasional light inside a car revealing the face of a soldier. Still farther back, a third company was moving into place.had seemed in recent days to be reaching a climax, with Russian forces close to encircling the city and some Ukrainian units pulling out.
Even before Ukraine stepped up its attack on Russians in Bakhmut on the weekend, its forces had moved to beat Russian troops back from the last main highway into the city. That preserved both a supply line that has helped Ukrainian soldiers tie down the Russian offensive for months and an exit route for them should they decide to retreat.
Ukrainian troops have steadily lost ground, ceding outlying villages and suburbs in recent weeks. And late winter has been particularly punishing. Weeks of freezing temperatures and now the onset of the mud season have sapped their strength, soldiers said. Late last week, Madyar said his unit was pulling out. Other units have, as well. It remains unclear if the movements were part of a rotation or of a controlled withdrawal.
Early one morning last week, rescue workers from the charity Save Ukraine raced in to evacuate some of the last residents in a particularly exposed neighbourhood near the canal. They brought out one couple, Viktor, 73, and Lyudmila, 67, who fled their home after the neighbour’s house was hit by a shell. A second couple declined to go. The husband said his wife was ailing with stomach pain.
Overhead, Ukrainian jets fly occasionally, often heading in the morning on sorties toward the front line. But this is predominantly an artillery war.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Russia trying to encircle besieged Bakhmut, says UkraineUkraine and Russia have since the summer fought fiercely for the city in Donetsk. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
Ukraine says Russia pursuing 'attempts to encircle' BakhmutKYIV: Kyiv said Sunday (Mar 5) it was holding off attacks from Russian troops still attempting to surround Bakhmut, a now-destroyed eastern Ukrainian city that Moscow has been trying to capture for months. Ukraine has vowed to defend 'fortress Bakhmut' but it has faced Russian troops determined to take the
Read more »
With Ukraine under pressure in Bakhmut, fight becomes a battle over roadsUkrainian military acknowledges that soldiers inside the city are encircled on three sides. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
Wagner army chief says Russian position at Ukraine’s Bakhmut may collapse without more armsThe Ukrainian defence at besieged city Bakhmut is holding, said a Kyiv officer. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
Ukrainian pilot pair in Arizona to fly military simulators: US officialThe US remains mute on whether it will send fighter jets or sophisticated remotely piloted drones to Kiyv. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
At this Ukrainian school, students not only bring their books. They also carry emergency bagsMissile strikes and power outages are a new reality that Ukrainian students have to adapt to.
Read more »