Ukraine Pounds Russian Positions Near Bakhmut As Moscow's Forces Gain Ground

A Ukrainian artillery unit fires onto Russian positions near the ruined city of Bakhmut on April 13.

The unit commander, Dmytro, said, “If we had more weapons able to hit deeper into the enemy positions, we would be more useful in this war.”
 

In an intelligence update on April 14, Britain claimed that Ukrainian troops were withdrawing from areas in Bakhmut as Moscow renewed intense artillery assaults. RFE/RL has no way to verify the claims.

Kyiv had appeared likely to abandon Bakhmut at the end of February but announced in March that it would fight on in hopes of inflicting higher casualties on Moscow's forces.

Kyiv admits that its forces have paid a heavy price in manpower and materials in defending "Fortress Bakhmut," a city that held around 70,000 people before the war.

The Ukrainian military said on April 14 that its forces had repelled 49 attacks by invading Russian forces over the previous day as intense fighting continued in and around Bakhmut.

 

With nearly 80 percent of Bakhmut reportedly under the Kremlin's control, Kyiv is using its artillery to punish the advancing troops.

"The enemy isn't giving up on his plans to occupy our territory despite significant losses," the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in its daily update on April 14. "The fiercest battles continue for Bakhmut and Maryinka," it added.

Taking control of the Bakhmut "meat grinder," where thousands of soldiers are estimated to have been killed on both sides, would be a largely symbolic victory for Moscow. It would also allow its forces to focus on Ukrainian garrisons around Chasiv Yar and two other cities in the Donetsk region -- Kramatorsk and Slovyansk.

Kyiv says shortages of ammunition and equipment are hindering its ability to launch a counteroffensive.