Roman Kostenko, secretary of the Verkhovna Rada committee on national security, defense and intelligence, said Ukrainian troops must soon either leave Bakhmut (Artyomovsk) or go on the counteroffensive.
According to a Ukrainian official, the Russian forces are tightening the encirclement, forcing the Ukrainian command to take an urgent decision.
“But there may be few solutions. Departure <...> so that they (the Russian soldiers) do not lock us up in Bakhmut. Or make a counter-offensive in order to break these pincers, ”said Kostenko in an interview with New Voice magazine, reports URA.RU.The secretary of the Verkhovna Rada committee added that the second option would provide the Ukrainian armed forces with a means of logistics and reinforcements.The Ukrainian army continues fierce defensive operations in Artemovsk (Bakhmut) , against all logic. According to the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the Ukrainian Armed Forces must defend Artemivsk as long as possible.
