Heavy artillery fire is taking place in Bakhmut, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has confirmed the information provided by Ukraine that Russia has launched a new attack, writes Reuters.
Ukrainian army officials said the Ukrainians were trying to repel new ground attacks while facing heavy artillery fire. Just in one day, Ukrainians have repelled attacks by the Russian army in one village near Kharkiv, five in the Luhansk region, and six in the Donetsk region, including near Bakhmut. Pavlo Kyrylenko, the governor of Donetsk, told Ukrainian television on the evening of Monday, the 13th of February, that the city is not a safe place, and the occupying army’s artillery can hit anywhere.
Bakhmut is currently the main target of Russian President Vladimir Putin, as capturing the city would provide a solid foothold in Donetsk. Stoltenberg told the media in Brussels that this was the start of a new offensive, and that Russia is be seen sending more troops and weapons and trying to increase its capabilities.
The attacks on Bakhmut are led by the mercenary group Wagner, who are making small but steady successes. The situation is made even worse by the renewed bombing. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that its army had advanced a few kilometers, but did not specify where this happened.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address:
«Thank you to every one of our soldiers who are preventing the occupiers from encircling Bakhmut… and who are holding our key positions at the front.»
On the 13th of February, the UN Human Rights Committee reported that since the 24th of February, 2022, it had registered 7,199 dead civilians and another 11,756 wounded, however, it believes that the real number of dead and wounded is much higher.
Moldova’s president has accused Russia of using foreign saboteurs to overthrow her. Zelensky reported last week that Ukraine had uncovered Russian intelligence plans regarding Moldova and two days later the government in the country, which lies between Ukraine and Romania, resigned.
White House spokesman John Kirby said on the 13th of February that there was no independent confirmation of the coup plan, but the indications of it are very disturbing and certainly consistent with Russia’s pattern of behavior.
Ukraine desperately needs weapons, and on Tuesday, the 14th of February, the defense ministers of several NATO countries will meet in Germany to discuss future military support. The NATO Secretary General expects the delivery of aircraft to be discussed, however, he said that Ukraine needs help on the ground right now.
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