Russia increases shelling, air strikes in Bakhmut – Ukrainian general

On Tuesday, Ukraine’s ground forces commander warned Russian forces are increasing heavy artillery and air strikes in Bakhmut, a destroyed eastern Ukrainian city.

Ukraine’s battle has centered around Bakhmut for months.

“Currently, the enemy is increasing the activity of heavy artillery and the number of air strikes, turning the city into ruins,” General Oleksandr Syrskyi said.

He added Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February last year, was determined to take Bakhmut “at any cost” but was losing heavily in the conflict.

Reuters could not confirm combat conditions. Russia claims Ukrainian forces lost heavily in Bakhmut.

Russia’s winter onslaught has failed to capture the city, which had 70,000 pre-war residents.

Bakhmut’s seizure might help Russia take Kramatorsk and Sloviansk in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region.

This month, the Wagner mercenary group’s leader declared its forces controlled almost 80% of Bakhmut.

Ukraine refuted this, claiming control of more than 20% of the city. The Ukrainian military is anticipated to launch a counteroffensive in weeks or months to retake Russian-held territory.