Ukrainian military officials have confirmed plans to launch a major counteroffensive to recover the strategic city of Bakhmut, a vital Ukrainian transport hub in the eastern Donetsk region.
The scene of fierce ground fighting for several months, Bakhmut is largely surrounded by Russian forces, although a substantial number of Ukrainian troops remain in the city.
On March 23, Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukrainian ground forces, said the anticipated offensive to “relieve pressure” on Bakhmut would likely be carried out “very soon.”
Speaking on the Telegram messaging app, Syrskyi asserted that Russian forces deployed in Donetsk had “lost considerable strength” and were “running out of steam.” …