Russia and Ukraine continue to wage “bitter fighting” for control of the Bakhmut centera city in the east of the country that concentrates the longest and bloodiest battle since the start of the Moscow offensive.
“Wagner’s assault units attack from various directions” to “advance towards central neighborhoods,” the Ukrainian army said at a briefing.
“Our defenders are inflicting significant losses on the enemy in fierce fighting”he added.
Bakhmut, which had 70,000 inhabitants before the start of the offensive in February 2022, has been the epicenter of fighting in the east for months.
The location it has become a symbol for both Ukraine and Russia -which have suffered heavy losses in this battle-, although according to observers their strategic importance is limited.
The head of the Wagner paramilitary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, He admitted that his fighters are facing resistance as they push for control of the city center.
“The situation in Bakhmut is difficult, very difficult. The enemy is fighting for every meter”he stated on social media.
“The closer we are to the center of the city, the harder the fighting and the more artillery there is…The Ukrainians are throwing reserves without end (into the fighting),” he added.
kyiv has ensured that its strategy in bakhmut it is above all to “buy time”, accumulate reserves and be able to launch a next counteroffensive.
In recent weeks, the Russians have been gaining ground around Bakhmut. His capture would give Moscow a military victory, after months of setbacks.
Russia proposed to extend agricultural agreement
The Russian invasion of Ukraine resulted not only in fighting but also in a blockade of Ukrainian ports by Russian warships, until an agreement was signed in July.
The deal was made between kyiv and Moscow mediated by Turkey and the UN, and contributed to alleviating the world food crisis caused by the conflict.
The agreement was renewed in November for 120 days and is due to expire on March 18. At a meeting at the UN headquarters in Geneva, Russia proposed to extend it, but this time, only for 60 days.
“The Russian side (…) is not opposed to a further extension of the ‘Black Sea initiative’ after the expiration of its second term on March 18, but only for 60 days”said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin.
The Kremlin had maintained uncertainty about its authorization for an extension, and argued that the parallel pact regarding Russian exports, particularly fertilizers, has not been respected.
The “future position [de Rusia] will depend on tangible progress in the normalization of our agricultural exports,” Vershinin said.
For Ukraine, this term offered by Russia “contradicts” the initial agreement.
Europe doubled the import of arms in 2022
According to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the massive supply of equipment to Kiev has caused arms imports into Europe to almost double by 2022.
“The invasion has really caused a significant rise in the demand for arms in Europe, which has not yet shown its full potential and will probably lead to further increases in imports,” Pieter Wezeman, co-author of this annual report published on Monday, told AFP. .
The Russian attack also brought “devastating” consequences for children in Ukrainian orphanages, with thousands of children being transferred to occupied territories or to Russia, warned the NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW).
Since the start of the invasion, more than 4,500 young Ukrainians in orphanages or foster families “have been displaced abroad,” it said.
According to the New York Times, the International Criminal Court will open two cases against Russian officials, one of them in relation to the alleged kidnapping of Ukrainian children, who were later sent for adoption or re-education camps.
Source: Ambito
