People's Deputy Kostenko: Command is aware of the threat of Bakhmut's encirclement, retreat or counterstrike is needed
People's Deputy, participant in the war and Colonel of the Security Service of Ukraine Roman Kostenko said that the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine may decide to withdraw troops from Bakhmut or counterattack in the area of the city. He spoke about this on the air of the national telethon, Liga.net reports.
According to him, the most intense fighting is taking place in the Donbass, and Bakhmut is an important point for the Russians, but no longer strategically, but politically.
«The interests of Russian politicians clashed there, they pose a threat encirclement, our command understands the threats, the city is being held,” Kostenko said.
He noted that the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will soon have to make a decision – to withdraw troops from Bakhmut or to carry out counter-offensive actions to break pincers of the invaders.
«We are destroying the offensive potential of the Russian Federation, which it could use in other directions. Everything will depend on our actions. The task now is to seize the initiative. Our leadership thinks about it, we need reserves, ammunition and weather», the People's Deputy summed up.
- The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzny said that the defense of Bakhmut is of super-important strategic importance.
- li>
- Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said the United States supports President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to defend the city.