"Today we held a special format military cabinet with the Chiefs of Defense, Commanders, Intelligence and the Presidential Office. To
manage the front, protect our country from Russian terror. Our actions will be powerful. We are preparing the Guys, we are waiting for the delivery of the weapons promised by our partners".
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Telegram.
“We are trying our best to get close to victory. We are maximizing the spirit of unity, our efficiency. Preparedness is also at its maximum.
The enemy will surely suffer losses,” he declared.
And while Zelensky announces new actions by Ukrainian forces, the situation remains confused in Bakhmut: the Russian army has declared that the Kiev troops entrenched in the town are now blocked by its military units, but the head of the Wagner private militia, Yevgeny Prigozhi, says that there can still be no question of a "complete encirclement".
“The (Russian) airborne troops are supporting the assault groups of the Wagner paramilitary group on the flanks, blocking the sending of the Ukrainian army reserves to the city and the possibility of a withdrawal,” the Moscow Defense Ministry said, in an update on the situation in the locality, the epicenter of fierce fighting for months.
According to Prigozhin, however, it is "premature" to speak of a "complete encirclement" of Ukrainian troops in Bakhmut, "The Ukrainian army continues to bring reinforcements and transfer them to the city. Difficult and bloody fighting is underway, so it is premature to speak of an encirclement complete with Bakhmut," said the head of Wagner, when asked about the statements of the Moscow defense.
For her part, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said heavy fighting continued in Bakhmut.
"Despite the fact that the enemy has concentrated its most competent units, including Wagner fighters, airborne assault units and
special forces, the Russians cannot achieve their goals, which is to take full control of Bakhmut," he said. said Maliar at a press conference in Kiev.
"To date - she added - the Russians are suffering huge losses there and, despite these losses, they do not stop and still want to
achieve their goal of taking control of the city".
