Kiev will not give up on holding Bakhmut (Artemovsk (Bakhmut)) because the loss of the city could open a foothold for the Russian army to attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with Al Arabiya TV channel.
Zelenskyy noted that the situation in Bakhmut remains difficult for the Ukrainian army, but the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) have no intention of retreating. “We cannot abandon Bakhmut, because it (will help) to broaden the front,” the Ukrainian president said.
According to him, the full control of Bakhmut will create a “springboard” for the Russian army for a new offensive on Kramatorsk and Slavyansk.
In an interview, Zelenskyy thanked the allies for their support and explained that by helping Ukraine, they are also supporting themselves. The president did not reveal details of the planned counteroffensive, but expressed confidence in its success. “Our army is getting ready and we are doing everything we can to make it stronger,” Zelenskyy said.
Representatives of the Ukrainian army speak of a planned counter-offensive since last December. At the end of March 2023, Zelenskyy recognized that the Ukrainian Armed Forces cannot yet launch the counterattack due to a lack of ammunition and weapons, so Kiev is waiting for new supplies from Western partners. The Ukrainian president also noted the lack of Western support, asking the United States and Europe for long-range missiles and modern fighter jets. Newsweek citing leaked Pentagon documents writing that Kiev and the Allies planned to launch a counter-offensive on April 30. However, data disclosed by the US Department of Defense, according to information CNN, led to the adjustment of the date of the transition to the counterattack. On April 12, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal declared that a counter-offensive was to be expected this summer.
APU counter-offensive. When and where to expect it
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