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| Russian Defense Minister Reveals Reasons for the Importance of Seizing Bakhmut from Ukraine |
Moskow - Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu Moscow continues his quest to seize Artyomovsk, known in Ukraine as Bakhmut. He noted the city was an important center of defense for the Kiev forces in Donbass.
"Controlling (Artyomovsk) will allow further offensive actions into the defense of the Ukrainian Armed Forces," he said.
Artyomovsk has seen some of the most brutal fighting amid Russia's ongoing military campaign in Ukraine.
As well as being a stronghold for Ukrainian troops, the city is part of a 70-kilometre line of defense that Kiev has drawn up since it started fighting in Donbass in 2014. In a months-long campaign, Russian forces have systematically captured settlements around the city and surrounded Artyomovsk from the north. , south, and east.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, has repeatedly insisted he will not give up the town, despite his Western backers and military advisers reportedly urging him to cut losses and stand down.
Shoigu also reported on Tuesday that Russian troops had liberated the settlements of Nikolaevka, Dvurechnoe, Krasnaya Gora, Gryanikovka and Paraskovievka. He stressed, "The American strategy of dividing Russia by force of arms has failed." "Western countries are increasing the supply of weapons and military equipment to Ukraine, expanding training programs for Ukrainian army personnel," Shoigu said. He emphasized, "At the same time, the support of the Kiev regime by NATO countries has not led to the success of the Ukrainian troops on the battlefield."
According to him, the losses of Kiev have increased significantly. According to the minister, in February alone the casualties suffered by the Ukrainian armed forces increased by more than 40% compared to January and amounted to more than 11,000 soldiers.
"In this regard, the indifference of the Kiev regime towards its people is shocking," stressed Shoigu.
He added that Kiev did not seem to care how many people died for the sake of its Western backers. "Russia's priority, on the other hand, remains preserving the life and health of personnel and civilians," he stressed.