In his Monday evening address, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to send more troops to the city of Bahkmut, revealing that top military commanders do not support withdrawing from the area.
"Today at the staff meeting, I directly asked both Khortytsia commander General Syrskyiand Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhny about their view of the further defense operation in the Bakhmut sector," said Zelensky.
"Either withdrawal or continuation of defense and reinforcement of the city," he added. "Both generals replied, do not withdraw and reinforce. And this opinion was unanimously backed by the staff."
"There were no other opinions. I told the Commander-in-Chief to find the appropriate forces to help the guys in Bakhmut," Zelensky concluded.
According to Reuters, Moscow says that capturing the eastern Ukrainian city could be a major step towards seizing the Donbas region.
The General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces said late on Monday that Bahkmut and the surrounding areas were under "constant attacks" as "the enemy takes no account of losses."
Ukrainian troops had been reinforcing positions west of the city in the potential for a possible retreat as both sides run low on artillery reserves.
"The head of Russia’s Wagner mercenary force, which is leading the Bakhmut assault, said on Monday he needed the regular army to supply him with more ammunition, reinforcements and covering support if he was to win the battle," Reuters reported.
