1 of 1 Ukrainian soldier inspects captured Russian BMP2 tanks in Bakhmut — Photo: Portal/Yevhen Titov Ukrainian soldier inspects captured Russian BMP2 tanks in Bakhmut — Photo: Portal/Yevhen Titov
Ukrainian troops holding weekend exercises near the small eastern town of Siversk said they were preparing to defend one of the possible targets of a new Russian offensive.
Siversk, which had a population of 10,000 before the war, is 35 kilometers north of Bakhmut the scene of fierce fighting in recent weeks and on a direct road to another of the Donetsk region’s main cities, Sloviansk.
“If they occupied Bakhmut, we would be half surrounded, because on the left we have the Siverskyi Donets river and the enemy will advance from the right, and it is possible to cut us off when they reach the Bakhmut highway,” he said the deputy commander of the Siwersk Battalion, who used the nom de guerre “Han”.
Ukrainian forces have requested more advanced weaponry from Kiev’s western allies to help defend Bakhmut, which is under attack by Russia’s Wagnerian mercenary group.
A soldier defending Siwersk said his artillery, mostly Sovietera, had been outmaneuvered by the enemy.
“We have an artillery hit on our side and the Russians can do that five times as much,” said Stefan, 30. “It’s very difficult for the guys who are standing, especially in the first (defensive) line, they feel yourself too much.”
Taking Bakhmut would give Russian forces a stepping stone to advance to two larger cities further west, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.
But Ukraine and its Western allies say the success would be largely a Pyrrhic victory for Moscow, given the time expended and casualties suffered.
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