Contested city in the east: how Bakhmut is being discussed in Ukraine

Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine has been the subject of fierce fighting for more than six months. President Selenskyj wants to continue defending the city – despite high losses. How is this discussed in the Ukrainian public?

There is a lot of wrong information in circulation, he wants to be honest on these issues – this is how President Volodymyr Zelenskyj begins his video speech. He is probably alluding to media reports that leading military officials have different views on how Ukraine should proceed in Bakhmut.

In Ukraine, there has been talk for a long time about a difficult relationship between Zelensky and the supreme commander, Valery Salushny. The “Bild” newspaper reported yesterday that Saluschnyj wanted a deduction from Bakhmut. And the US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said yesterday that he did not consider a withdrawal to be a “significant strategic setback”. This can be interpreted in such a way that he might consider a retreat to be right.

Zelenskyj: Generals against deduction

According to Zelensky, he exchanged views yesterday with Zalushny and the commander of the army, Oleksandr Syrsky, and asked them: “Should we withdraw or should we continue the defense and reinforce the city?” Both generals would have replied: “Not to retreat and reinforce.”

According to Selenskyj, the so-called Stavka is also behind the decision – a high-ranking group, which includes leaders of the military, representatives of the government and the secret service. The armed forces will continue to defend every part of Ukraine, Zelenskyy said.

Media reports speak of burned soldiers

However, this has its price. According to unanimous media reports, the Ukraine must deploy its best units to deal with the constant attacks from the Russian side. The online portal “Kyiv Independent” reported on Ukrainian soldiers who – in a sense – would feel burned out because, for example, they did not have sufficiently armored vehicles.

Apparently, Russia is primarily sending Wagner mercenaries to the front line in Bachmut – regardless of the casualties. The enemy is still trying to encircle the city, according to press officer Mykyta Shandiba on Ukrainian television. But so far without success.

War of attrition continues

“It’s tough,” he says. “Enemy attacks happen all the time. The enemy tries to take our positions, small groups make these attacks.” In the past few days, these groups have grown, with 30 people trying to break through the defense lines. “But they haven’t managed to do that yet,” says Shandiba. And thanks to the reinforcements, they shouldn’t be able to do that in the future either.

For reasons of military tactics, they remain silent about the reasons that drive the Ukrainian military leadership to hold Bakhmut. Today’s media are asking military experts how they interpret the decision. But that is difficult for many. “Leaving Bakhmut seemed like a sensible step,” says Serhiy Hrabskyj, a retired colonel. “But you and I only operate with publicly available information. In any case, the decision has been made and we military must abide by it and implement it.”

So the war of attrition continues in Bachmut. And there is no end in sight.