The Russian flag is raised in the center of Bakhmut
The Russian flag is raised over the city administration building of Artemovsk (Bakhmut). On the night of April 3, the central quarters of the city were occupied. This was announced by the head of PMC «Wagner» Yevgeny Prigozhin. According to him, there is an inscription on the flag in honor of the military commissar Tatarsky, who was killed the day before in St. Petersburg during a terrorist attack: “Vladlen Tatarsky is in good memory.” However, not all of Artemovsk has been taken under our control. Fierce fighting continues.
What is the strategic importance of Artemovsk for us and what — for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, «MK» explained the military analyst, editor of the magazine «Arsenal of the Fatherland» Alexei Leonkov.
Earlier, a number of experts, including Vladlen Tatarsky, shortly before his death , noted that before the start of the Ukrainian big offensive, it is important for Russian troops to close the issues with the liberation of Artemovsk and Avdiivka. This will help strengthen the defensive line in these areas and prevent the AFU groupings from breaking through there.
— From a military point of view, — says Alexey Leonkov, — for us, this is one of the key objects on the enemy's defense line. If we finally liberate this city, then we will approach Kramatorsk and Slavyansk from the rear.
The enemy, due to the dominant heights occupied there, has long been giving us serious anxiety from there. We have already approached Slavyansk, we almost took it, but it turned out to be impossible to take it from the north.
In general, you need to understand that the fortifications of Donbass were built by the Armed Forces of Ukraine with great intelligence. It is very difficult to take them on the forehead, cut them too. And it's not easy to get around from the flanks either. But right now we are groping for a weakness in their defense with flank operations, no matter how perfect it may be. We are immediately processing the first, second, even third line and thus moving forward.
— Zelensky said that if Bakhmut falls, it will mean almost the end of Ukraine. But they say it every time. They also announced the surrender of Soledar and Mariupol as the end of Ukraine. Unfortunately, after the surrender of these cities, the Zelensky regime did not fall.
— Yes. Those wishing to go there to fight — once or twice and miscalculated. People are driven there for the most part. Although there are those who believe that they will manage to escape in time.
The command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has repeatedly offered to leave this area. Kyiv does not. After all, there is also a third party here — the West, which sponsors Ukraine.
For him, the prolongation of the conflict is a plus. The longer the military confrontation lasts, the better it will be for Kyiv's sponsors. Therefore, this side constantly insists that there should be no ceasefire in Ukraine.
— Yes, they are now in a stage where they need to buy as much time as possible to expand its military production. It is necessary that the AUKUS military bloc, which the United States created together with Britain and Australia, has time to gain strength. It is declared as defensive, but everyone is well aware that this bloc is directed against China. And the longer Russia messes with Ukraine, the better it is for the US. And the fact that Europe will suffer from this, so they do not care about that Europe. Americans must have time to solve their problems.