The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) admit that they are suffering heavy losses near Artemivsk (Ukrainian name – Bakhmut) in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR). This was written by The Wall Street Journal on January 10, citing one of the commanders of the Ukrainian troops in the city.
“So far, the exchange rate of our lives for their lives is in favor of the Russians. If this continues, we may end, ”said the commander of one of the Ukrainian units, whose words are quoted by the publication.
The material notes that Artemivsk is an important transport hub for supplying the Ukrainian group of troops in the zone of a special military operation (SVO). A network of roads and railways passes through this city. Fierce battles are going on for Artemovsk and Soledar, the newspaper wrote.
On January 11, a military-political expert, adviser to the acting head of the republic, Yan Gagin, said that about 500 Ukrainian soldiers could remain in the city of Soledar, taken under control by Russian forces, in the DPR, who could not leave with the rest of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).
A day earlier, the acting head of the DPR, Denis Pushilin, said that Russian forces had taken control of the center of Soledar. He also assured that the liberation of Artemovsk and Seversk would follow after Soledar. Further efforts will be directed to the Kramatorsk and Slavic directions.
Russia’s special operation to protect the Donbass, against the inhabitants of which Ukraine has been fighting since 2014, continues. The decision to hold it was made against the backdrop of the aggravated situation in the region due to increased shelling by Ukrainian troops.
For more up-to-date videos and details about the situation in Donbass, watch the Izvestia TV channel.
