Ukrainian troops, who have fought fierce battles with Russian forces in the Bakhmut region in recent months, can perform a strategic retreat if necessary. About it in an interview with CNN declared Advisor to the President of Ukraine on economic issues Oleksandr Rodnyansky.
He noted that Russia was now trying to surround Bakhmut, including Wagner PMC mercenaries.
“Our army is obviously going to weigh all the options. While they hold the city, but if necessary they will retreat strategically – because we’re not going to sacrifice all of our people like that,” Rodnyansky said.
Asked about the timing, the adviser replied that the decision on the need to withdraw the troops was up to the Ukrainian army. He added that the area west of Bakhmut had been fortified.
“If we backed down, that wouldn’t necessarily mean that the Russians would be able to advance very quickly. Don’t hesitate, our counter-offensive is fast approaching,” concluded Rodnyansky.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy , in his evening speech on February 28, said that the most difficult situation at the front is still in the Bakhmut region, for which there are fierce battles. According to him, “the intensity of the fighting is only increasing”. Earlier, he said the Ukrainian military did not plan to keep Bakhmut “at any cost”. The battles for Bakhmut began in the summer of 2022, by October this direction had become the hottest point on the front.
