According to presidential adviser Alexander Rodnyansky, if the military leaves the city, the Russians will still not be able to move quickly because of the defensive fortifications.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine can make a strategic retreat from Bakhmut, Donetsk region, if necessary. On Wednesday, March 1, said Advisor to the President of Ukraine Alexander Rodnyansky in an interview with the American television channel CNN.
According to the presidential adviser, now the Russian Armed Forces are trying to surround Bakhmut. To do this, they use Wagner PMC mercenaries, who are better trained than regular Russian troops. Nevertheless, for now, the Ukrainian military continues to hold the city.
“Our military is obviously going to weigh all the options. So far they are holding the city, but if necessary, they will retreat strategically – because we are not going to sacrifice all our people just like that,” Rodnyansky said.
The presidential adviser also noted that the western district of the city is well fortified. Therefore, even if the Armed Forces of Ukraine leave Bakhmut, the Russians will not be able to move forward quickly.
“Make no mistake, our counteroffensives will soon be just around the corner,” Rodnyansky summed up.
It should be noted that the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has previously allowed the withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Bakhmut. On February 19, the head of state said that it was important for Kyiv to keep Bakhmut, but “not at any cost.”
Bakhmut – latest news
On February 28, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Anna Malyar said that the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region is the epicenter of hostilities, where the invaders are concentrating their forces. According to her, the Russians are striving to reach the borders of the Donetsk region and leave no hope of capturing the entire territory of Ukraine. However, despite the advantage in manpower and the intensity of the fighting, the losses of the invaders significantly exceed the APU. Ukrainian units report on the destruction of up to 80% of the “Wagnerites”.
On the same day, February 28, a soldier of the 93rd separate mechanized brigade Kholodny Yar said that a tense situation had developed for the Ukrainian Defense Forces in Bakhmut.
Earlier, on February 27, the commander of a separate tactical aerial reconnaissance group “Madyar Birds” Robert Brovdi said that the RF Armed Forces were trying to reach the operational encirclement of the city of Bakhmut. According to him, the enemy is attacking the city with artillery, tanks, MLRS, mortars, and in the last few days he has connected aviation. Enemy planes fly in 3-4 times a night.
Earlier, on February 26, Russian businessman and patron of the “Wagnerites” Yevgeny Prigozhin said that the first German Leopard 2 tanks were sent near Bakhmut in the area of the settlement of Chasov Yar. However, the mercenaries of PMC “Wagner”, who are fighting in this direction, have not yet encountered them in battle.
