Zelensky mocks the Russian defense and visits his troops in Bakhmut: “We will not give up anything”

The President of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenskyhas visited his troops deployed in Bakhmut on Tuesday, a city of the Donetsk region which in recent weeks has become the hottest spot on a 1,300-kilometre front line.

During his stay, Zelensky thanked his soldiers “courage, stamina and strength” demonstrated in what, today, is one of the the bloodiest battles and lasting so far in the war. In images shared by the Ukrainian presidential office you can see how the country’s leader, between applausedistributes medals to the military who fight against the occupiers.

“For the strength of Bakhmut. For our people. for the territory not conquered by the enemy. For those who with his courage show that we will endure and will not give up what is ours,” Zelenski said later through his Telegram channel.

[Bakhmut: cómo Rusia y Ucrania se han empeñado en alargar la batalla más sangrienta y absurda]

The town, which before the war barely had 70,000 inhabitants, it is practically destroyed. Day and night, the Russian army unloads its artillery on the ruins, apparently not caring that only dust and rubble remain.

For months now, to the bewilderment of international analysts, the Kremlin forces have been determined to control this territory, which does not have great strategic interest. At least not currently: at the beginning of the invasion it was a key player in the Donbas regionsince the Ukrainians concentrated a good part of their reservists there.

In addition, it was where their supply lines came from and the highway that connected with the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk nucleus that allowed them to go to the cities of Sievierodonetsk and Lisichansk. These last two towns, however, fell into Russian hands in the summer, making Bakhmut a place of little tactical value.

Although it is unknown exactly what happens in that place, the truth is that the latest information that they arrive from the front they speak of an advance – slight, but progress nonetheless – of the Russian forces.

Also, a recent analysis of the Institute of the Study of War (ISW) maintains, for example, that Russia has increased its presence around the city. This leads one to wonder how Zelenki was able to get around the Russian defensive line or, specifically, how he was able to get around the troops of the Wagner militia group who drives Yevgeny Prigozhin and who is in charge of Bakhmut’s offensive.