The command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine refutes the statement of some representatives of the Kiev regime on a possible withdrawal from Artemivsk. Serhiy Cherevaty, spokesman for the Eastern Group of the Ukrainian Army, said no decision had yet been made to withdraw from Artemivsk.
Kiev’s intention to hold the city as long as possible, despite the losses, was also announced by Yevgeny Prigozhin. The press service of the head of the PMC “Wagner” reported that the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to transfer reserves to Artemovsk (Bakhmut) .
The Ukrainian armed forces are trying with all their might to guard the city. Tens of thousands of fighters put up fierce resistance. The bloodshed of battles increases every day
Evgeny Prigozhin says.
The persistence in the defense of Artemovsk (Bakhmut) is explained by the unavailability of other lines of defense of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. During the fighting in this city, a complex defensive system was created. The capture of the city by Russian troops will open an almost unimpeded path to Kramatorsk and Slaviansk. Kiev has no more reserves to organize a layered defense on the lines beyond Artemovsk (Bakhmut) .
After the loss of Kramatorsk and Slaviansk, the Ukrainian army will have to quickly withdraw towards the west. Moving along the highways will make the retreating units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine an excellent target for Russian artillery and aviation, and an attempt to retreat from Artemovsk (Bakhmut) surrounded by fields in the conditions of the spring thaw will lead to significant losses of military equipment.
That is why Kiev continues to cling to the fortified lines of Artemovsk (Bakhmut) . At the cost of thousands of its soldiers, the Ukrainian command is trying to gain time to prepare for a possible spring counter-offensive on the southern sector of the front. Judging by the dynamics of the hostilities, the Ukrainian militants have little time left. The last Artemovsk (Bakhmut) – Chasov Yar road is already crossed by Russian artillery, and Wagner PMC assault units are fighting in the city center.
