Zelensky congratulates troops on successes at Bakhmut: Ukraine reports gains in territory

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Ukraine reports the first successes of the major military operations that started early Sunday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (45) expressly praised the advance of troops near the devastated city of Bakhmut. “Well done warrior,” Selenski said in a video message Monday night.

“We see how hysterically Russia reacts to every step we take there, to every position we take.” Nevertheless, the apparatus of power in Moscow continues to refuse to recognize reality. Rather, Russia is trying to deceive the world and circumvent sanctions. “Russia will lose this war,” Zelensky said. “The enemy knows that Ukraine will win. You see. You feel it thanks to our beatings, soldiers and especially in the Donbass region.’

The movements of major troop formations in Ukraine and the escalation of hostilities suggest that Kiev may not even officially launch the major offensive. Bluffing and deceit are time-tested war tactics. However, the actions along the front lines are sending clear signals. “The news from the front is becoming more alarming by the hour,” wrote a popular Russian Telegram channel.

‘Counteroffensive seems to have started’

“Ukraine’s counter-offensive appears to have begun,” Britain’s “Economist” reported Monday, citing Western diplomats. According to sources, this is actually the beginning of the offensive. Attacks also took place on other parts of the front. In the Novodonezke region southwest of Donetsk alone, Ukraine is said to have moved five to six kilometers. “But the elite of the Ukrainian army,” said The Economist, “has not yet appeared on the battlefield.”

On Monday, Ukraine confirmed “offensive actions” in some sectors of the front and land gains near the devastated city of Bakhmut in the country’s east. The area around Bakhmut remains “the center of the fighting,” Ukrainian Defense Secretary Hanna Maliar, 44, told Telegram. “We are advancing there on a fairly broad front. We are achieving success. We are occupying the dominant heights. The enemy is on the defensive.”

Maliar suggested that the Russians had not yet seen the military prowess of the Ukrainian advance. The attacks are “counter-attacks of local importance”.

Eight German Leopard tanks destroyed?

The bunkered Russian positions struck back brutally. The Moscow Defense Ministry said on Monday the Russian army inflicted heavy casualties on the advancing Ukrainians.

Moscow speaks of 1,500 Ukrainian soldiers killed and 28 tanks destroyed, including eight German Leopards. The information has not been independently verified. Kiev does not provide information about its own losses of troops and combat equipment. (kes)

Source: Blick