Russian forces in Bakhmut 'shift from defense to offense'

Ukraine's army commander says Russia is sending reinforcements to Bakhmut, helping the forces there move from defense to offense.

"The enemy has significantly strengthened its forces in Bakhmut and moved from a defensive to an active stance. The situation near the city of Kupyansk is also very difficult, the Russian army is trying to advance simultaneously in several directions," Ukrainian Army Commander Oleksandr Syrsky said on October 30.

“Proactive action” is a phrase often used by Russia and Ukraine to describe small-scale offensives around specific lines or fronts.

Russian soldiers fire leaflets towards the Ukrainian front line on October 13. Photo: RIA Novosti

Volodymyr Fityo, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Army Command, said that the Russian military had been preparing for an operation to seize key positions around Bakhmut since the beginning of the month. "We saw everything coming and reinforced our defensive positions, mobilized additional reservists. This move did not come as a surprise," he said.

The Ukrainian military general staff announced on the same day that its units were still maintaining their offensive efforts on Bakhmut, emphasizing that they had successfully prevented Russian counterattacks on the strategic villages of Kleshcheevka and Andreevka south of the city.

The Russian Defense Ministry has not commented on the information.

Russian media said on October 30 that engineering units of the 98th Airborne Division were clearing mines and clearing paths for troops and military vehicles north of Bakhmut.

Bakhmut is a city that Kiev lost to Moscow in May, after what was considered the bloodiest and longest siege since the conflict began. Thousands of soldiers on both sides were estimated to have died in 10 months of fighting, which earned Bakhmut the nickname "the meat grinder".

The Ukrainian army then focused its efforts on retaking the city, with the first significant step being the recapture of the villages of Kleshcheevka and Andreevka in late September.

Location of the city of Bakhmut/Artemovsk, the villages of Kleshcheevka and Andreevka. Graphics: RYV

Ukraine said its military wanted to control Bakhmut to hold back Russian forces, prevent them from advancing further west and directly targeting Kiev’s defenses in the area. Meanwhile, RT’s military expert Vladislav Ugolny said Ukraine focused its efforts on Bakhmut because it was a matter of “honor.”

Vu Anh (According to Reuters, RIA Novosti )

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