Defence Ministry explains why Ukrainian defenders continue to defend Bakhmut

Ukraine is forced to hold its defence in Bakhmut, Donetsk Region, as the enemy has concentrated all its forces in this point on the frontline, throwing newly mobilized soldiers as well as professional army units there. In order to prevent the enemy from breaking through the defence point on the front line, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are forced to hold it even under a strong onslaught. Deputy Defence Minister Anna Malyar said this in a national TV marathon broadcast.

The enemy has concentrated its main efforts in Bakhmut, so we must respond by concentrating ours there in order to stop the enemy. In fact, Bakhmut has now taken the brunt of the enemy armed forces and their private armies in the East," she said.

She stressed that if the defenders had not defended Bakhmut, the Russians would have advanced deep into our territory.

Therefore, the importance of defending Bakhmut must be understood in such a context," Malyar pointed out.

The deputy minister added that the occupiers do not stop trying to take complete control of the city. Since the Ukrainian Armed Forces have already destroyed a large number of mercenaries of the Wagner Cheka, the Russians have started to bring in airborne and assault units.

At the same time, the deputy minister added, the Russians' artillery and aviation have turned the city into the Syrian Aleppo.