In the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, which has been hotly fought for months, defenders say they have prevented further attacks by Russian troops. As the general staff in Kiev said last night, Russian units tried to close the pincers around the city from the north and south.
“The enemy continued its efforts to capture the city, with significant losses of troops and weapons,” the General Staff in Kiev wrote on Facebook in its daily situation report. In the meantime, a “decrease in the attacking momentum” of the Russian forces became apparent. The information could not be independently verified.
The British Ministry of Defense had previously reported that the momentum of Russian attacks near Bakhmut was waning, citing intelligence findings. In addition, Ukrainian troops provided relief with their own advances, he said.
Zelenskyy visiting the troops
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously visited troops near the hotly contested city of Bakhmut in the east of the country. The presidential office in Kiev said he presented the soldiers with medals.
“I am honored to be here today to present the awards to our heroes. To shake their hands and thank them for protecting our country’s sovereignty,” Zelenskyy wrote in Telegram.
Also visit in Kharkiv
Zelenskyy also visited the northeastern city of Kharkiv and presented Mayor Ihor Terekhov with the insignia of a “hero city of Ukraine”. With the award, Zelenskyy recognized the residents’ resistance to Russian attacks in the previous year. “Kharkiv is a real heroic city,” Zelenskyy said, according to the Unian news agency. “Thanks to the citizens, this beautiful city, along with other cities, stands up for our independence.”