Latest on Kherson and Bakhmut battle fronts
On Saturday, the Ukrainian forces launched a new battle to liberate Kherson province from Russian control, although it is not yet clear from Russian accounts to what extent the fighting raged in the region.
The deputy mayor of Kherson, appointed by Russia, Kirill Strimosov, reported that the city was subjected to artillery bombardment, while the Russian Defense Ministry said it was able to repel the attack.
Nevertheless, Russian military bloggers reported that the raging fighting to gain control continued, with the Ukrainian side deploying many tanks and armored vehicles.
The Ukrainian General Staff said earlier in its evening report on the current situation: “Kherson was among the targets of Moscow’s missile and air attacks throughout the day”.
In turn, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Saturday that the field military situation near Bakhmut is currently the most difficult in eastern Ukraine, days after the pro-Russian forces announced their approach to the city.
“The situation remains extremely dangerous in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions” in the Donbas industrial basin, Zelensky said in his daily speech.
He added, “The most difficult situation is near Bakhmut, like the previous days, and we still maintain our positions”.
On Thursday, Russian-backed separatist forces in the Donetsk region announced their control of two nearby villages, Obitin and Ivangrad.
For weeks, Russian forces have been bombing Bakhmut, which had a pre-war population of 70,000 people.
About 15 kilometers from Bakhmut, AFP journalists in Chasiv Yar spoke to a soldier who had just returned from the front line in this area.
“For days I didn’t sleep, I didn’t eat, I drank nothing but coffee,” said the 50-year-old soldier from the 93rd Brigade.
“Out of the 13 young men in my group, we lost two and five were evacuated,” said the soldier, who was lightly wounded by shrapnel and showed signs of fatigue.
“This is our life now, we will do everything for our country,” he added, on the verge of tears.
