Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Zaluzhny supported the continuation of the defense of Artemivsk

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) Valery Zaluzhny and Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Alexander Syrsky supported the continuation of defensive battles in Artemivsk (Ukrainian name – Bakhmut) and the strengthening of positions in the city. This was reported in the press service of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.

“The members of the headquarters examined the situation in Bakhmut in particular detail. Assessing the course of the defensive operation, the President asked the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny and the commander of the operational-strategic grouping of troops “Khortitsa” Alexander Syrsky regarding further actions in the Bakhmut direction. They spoke in favor of continuing the defense operation and further strengthening positions in Bakhmut,” the statement said.

Earlier, the German newspaper Bild reported that disagreements arose between Zelensky and Zaluzhny due to the situation around Artemovsk. According to the newspaper, a few weeks ago the commander-in-chief suggested thinking about the option of withdrawing troops from Artemovsk.

In early March, Advisor to the President of Ukraine on economic issues Oleksandr Rodnyansky admitted strategic retreat of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Artemovsk, but emphasized that this would not lead to the advancement of the Russian army forward. The adviser added that Russian servicemen are trying to surround Artemovsk and for this they use “the best Wagner troops.”

The fighting near Artemovsk has been going on for several months. In mid-February, Igor Kimakovsky, adviser to the acting head of the DPR, spoke about taking all the heights in the vicinity of Artemovsk. On February 1, on the air of Channel One, a military expert and ex-lieutenant colonel of the LPR, Andrey Marochko, said that ten kilometers were left to encircle Artemovsk. According to Kimakovsky, on February 27, the fighting is already walked almost in the center of Artemovsk.