(Reuters) – The Ukrainian army is resisting repeated attacks by Russian forces near Avdiivka and Bakhmout, in the Donbass, President Volodimir Zelensky said on Wednesday, denouncing the “madness” of the Russian general staff.
In his daily video message, the Ukrainian head of state also claimed that there was good news from the front, without giving details.
The heaviest fighting is taking place near Avdiivka and Bakhmout, two towns in Donetsk oblast (administrative region), he said. “This is where the madness of the Russian command is most evident. Day after day, for months, they have been leading people to death,” he said.
Russian forces seek to seize Bakhmout, at the crossroads of the main road linking the cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.
According to Oleksi Arestovitch, adviser to the Ukrainian president, the Russians attacked Bakhmout eight times before midday on Tuesday, and were repelled each time.
Volodimir Zelensky did not mention the situation in Kherson, a city controlled by Moscow in the south of the country, where Ukrainian troops say they expect strong resistance from opposing forces.
“We are strengthening our positions along the front line, we are reducing the invaders’ capabilities, we are destroying their logistics and preparing good news for Ukraine,” the Ukrainian president said.
(Written by David Ljunggren, French version Jean-Stéphane Brosse)
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