“If Russia does not step up its attack, the city will remain Ukrainian”

Berlin For almost seven months, Russian forces have been attempting to capture the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine. However, Wagner mercenaries, conventional troops and massive artillery fire have so far not been enough to bring the strategically rather insignificant town under control.

In an interview, Volodymyr Bogun (name changed for security reasons), commander of a Ukrainian artillery unit, reports on the ongoing fighting and the importance of Ukrainian artillery in it.

Mr. Bogun, how is the situation in Bachmut at the moment? Can the city be held or is a Russian breakthrough imminent?
In the past seven months, the Russians around Bakhmut have only been able to advance 13 kilometers. It is another 28 kilometers to the nearest city of Sloviansk further west. One could only speak of a strategic success if Russia were to penetrate as far as here. But it doesn’t look like that at the moment.