Ukraine's Bakhmut residents and Ukrainian troops came under increasing pressure on Saturday as Kyiv's military attempted to assist locals in fleeing the embattled eastern city amid what Western observers speculate may be withdrawal-related preparations.
According to Ukrainian troops who were assisting Bakhmut residents, a woman was killed and two men were severely injured by shelling on Saturday while attempting to cross a temporary bridge out of Bakhmut. For operational reasons, a spokeswoman of the Ukrainian army told The Associated Press that civilians were now unable to leave the city by car and had to make their escape on foot.
Bakhmut has for months been a key target of Moscow’s grinding eastern offensive, with Russian troops, including large forces from the private Wagner Group, inching ever closer to Kyiv’s key eastern stronghold.
Capturing Bakhmut would not only give Russian fighters a rare battlefield gain after months of setbacks, but it might rupture Ukraine’s supply lines and allow the Kremlin’s forces to press toward other Ukrainian strongholds in the eastern Donetsk region.
According to Ukrainian troops who were assisting Bakhmut residents, a woman was killed and two men were severely injured by shelling on Saturday while attempting to cross a temporary bridge out of Bakhmut. For operational reasons, a spokeswoman of the Ukrainian army told The Associated Press that civilians were now unable to leave the city by car and had to make their escape on foot.
Bakhmut has for months been a key target of Moscow’s grinding eastern offensive, with Russian troops, including large forces from the private Wagner Group, inching ever closer to Kyiv’s key eastern stronghold.
Capturing Bakhmut would not only give Russian fighters a rare battlefield gain after months of setbacks, but it might rupture Ukraine’s supply lines and allow the Kremlin’s forces to press toward other Ukrainian strongholds in the eastern Donetsk region.
