Russian forces bombard Ukraine’s Bakhmut as defenders brace for assault

A news article from Yahoo reports that Russian forces have claimed to have made gains along the border with Ukraine. The situation is a result of the ongoing conflict between the two countries in the region.

The Russian military has stated that they have taken control of several key positions along the border, further escalating tensions between the two nations. The Ukrainian government has not yet commented on the situation, and it remains unclear how this development will impact the ongoing conflict in the region.

However, the international community is closely monitoring the situation and expressing concern over the escalating tensions and violence in the region.

The city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine endured heavy Russian artillery fire on Monday in an apparent prelude to a major new offensive as the first anniversary of the war neared.

Ukrainian defenders, who have already held out there for months, were braced for new ground attacks, Ukrainian military officials said.

Positions in Bakhmut have been fortified and only people with a military role were being allowed in, a deputy battalion commander said. Any civilians who still wanted to leave the city would have to brave the incoming fire, he said.

Bakhmut is a prime objective for Russian President Vladimir Putin and its capture would give Russia a new foothold in the Donetsk region and a rare victory after several months of setbacks. Donetsk and Luhansk regions make up the Donbas, Ukraine’s industrial heartland. Russia partially occupies it and wants to win full control.

In Brussels, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said he considered the long-anticipated Russian offensive to have already started.

The Russian assault on Bakhmut has been spearheaded by mercenaries of the Wagner group, who have made small but steady gains. The renewed Russian bombardments made the situation there even more acute.