Syrsky tells what the Russians need Bakhmut for

Colonel-General Aleksandr Syrskyy, commander of the eastern grouping of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, told theInterfax-Ukrainenews agency.

Asked why the Russians are putting so much effort into attacking Bakhmut, Syrskyy said:

Indeed, Bakhmut remains the focus of the enemy's main efforts among all other directions. For Russia, eastern Ukraine is the only section of the front where it has made any progress since the "big offensive" began.

According to him, Russia needs to show success in the Donetsk region.

Without capturing it (Bakhmut - ed.), the occupants will not be able to develop the offensive in the direction of Kramatorsk and Seversk. Therefore, Russian propaganda presents the battles for Bakhmut as a second "battle for Stalingrad". They are fond of making such parallels. And Russia will spare neither human nor material resources to achieve its goals," Syrsky said.

The commander also added that the Bakhmut direction is important for the Ukrainian side for several reasons. In particular, because of the location of the city. The control of Bakhmut can ensure the stability of the defence of the Ukrainian forces as a whole.

Bakhmut is a well-placed natural fortress, surrounded by rivers and located on hills, which facilitates defence. The presence of multi-storey buildings and developed infrastructure on the left bank of the Bakhmutovka river, where our troops are defending, also contributes to the city's defence," the spokesman said.