"We cannot rule out that Bakhmut could fall in the coming
days"
.
NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg expresses his concern arriving at the informal defense council in Stockholm, but minimizes the effects of a possible capture of the city symbol of resistance.
"It won't necessarily be a turning point in the war but it just highlights that we must not underestimate Russia and must continue to support Ukraine"
.
President
Zelensky sounded the alarm yesterday: Russian forces will have an "open road" to key cities in eastern Ukraine if they take control of Bakhmut.
With Kiev soldiers in a trench near Bakhmut
According to Wagner, Russian forces have taken full control of the eastern part of the city.
“Everything east of the Bakhmutka River is completely under Wagner's control,” mercenary group founder Evgeny Prigozhin said on his Telegram channel.
Moscow: 'Bakhmut crucial to continue the offensive'
The summit was also attended by Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov who, upon his arrival, asked for more weapons in a short time.
We need ammunition, ammunition, ammunition - added Reznikov - But that's not all.
Also air defense systems, infantry fighting vehicles and other tanks such as the Leopard.
At that point we will have the iron fist we need for the counter-offensive". "Procedures are the right thing", he said about the times of the EU, "but as the NATO secretary general said in times of war the speed saves lives.
That's why we need to move forward as quickly as possible."
Reznikov then denied
any involvement of Kiev in the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline.
"We have nothing to do with the sabotage operation:
it would be a nice compliment to our special services but when the investigation is concluded it will be seen that Ukraine has nothing to do with it," he said.
And Moscow has also intervened in the matter.
Media reports of the attacks on the Nord Stream gas pipeline are a coordinated effort to divert attention, and the Kremlin is puzzled how US officials can assume anything about the attacks without an investigation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti.
"Obviously, the perpetrators of the attack want to divert attention. It is clear that this is a coordinated operation to fill the media," Peskov said, referring to news published yesterday by the New York Times and some German media.
“How can US officials assume anything without an investigation?” he added, stressing that the shareholder countries of Nord Stream should insist on an urgent and transparent investigation.
"
We are not yet admitted to the investigation.
Just a few days ago we received notes about this from Danes and Swedes, ”she concluded:“ This is not just weird.
There is a smell of a monstrous crime."
ANSA Agency
Nord Stream, accusations against pro-Kiev.
Usa: 'We await the investigation'
The NYT: 'Nothing suggests that Zelensky is involved'.
German media for 'Ukrainian track'.
Kiev government evacuates children from Bakhmut.
According to the ISW, Russian forces control 40% of the city.
Soldier killed in video shock identified