As the battle for Bakhmut rages on, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday that the eastern Ukrainian city may fall into Russian hands in the coming days.&nbsp;The continuing Bakhmut fighting and the encounters between the Russian and Ukrainian armed forces in and around the city is a wider war for Donbas region. In other news, Pakistan's Aurat March participants were baton-charged by Islamabad Police on Wednesday. The former prime minister Imran Khan strongly denounced the act.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived in India on Wednesday on his first visit since assuming office in May last year. He announced that Australia's Deakin University would be setting up its branch at GIFT City in Gandhinagar, Gujarat as he finalised Australia-India Education Qualification Recognition Mechanism.

Click on the headlines to read more:

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bakhmut-may-fall-into-russian-hands-in-coming-days-nato-chief-570005">Bakhmut may fall within days, must not underestimate Russia: NATO chief</a> 
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/03/08/337504-untitled-design-2023-03-08t220808959.png?imwidth=1920" />

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday that Bakhmut, the city in eastern Ukraine that has witnessed fierce fighting in recent months, may fall into Russian hands in the coming days.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-aurat-march-baton-charged-as-demonstrations-mark-womens-day-across-world-569967">Pakistan: Aurat March baton charged by Islamabad police as world celebrates Women’s Day</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/03/08/337483-untitled-design-2023-03-08t184122935.png?imwidth=1920" />

Pakistan's Islamabad Police on Wednesday allegedly baton-charged participants in the Aurat March, an action which was widely condemned by the country's Human Rights Commission along with many other politicians and former Prime Minister Imran Khan.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-a-first-since-taking-charge-australia-pm-albanese-arrives-in-india-569957">PM Anthony Albanese announces education recognition mechanism, Indian degrees to be recognized in Australia</a> 
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/03/08/337477-untitled-design-2023-03-08t173317907.png?imwidth=1920" />

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived in India on Wednesday on his first visit since assuming office in May last year. Albanese arrived in Gujarat's Ahmedabad on Wednesday evening and headed straight towards the Sabarmati Ashram in the city to pay his tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ned-price-to-step-down-as-us-state-departments-spokesperson-vedant-patel-to-be-interim-spokesperson-569989">Ned Price to step down as US State Department's spokesperson; Vedant Patel to be interim spokesperson</a> 
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/03/08/337495-untitled-design-2023-03-08t201620527.png?imwidth=1920" />

Ned Price will step down as the US State Department’s Spokesperson this month, State Secretary Antony Blinken said in a press release on Tuesday (local time). Indian-American Vedant Patel, who is the Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State will be the interim spokesperson of the US State Department, as per reports.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-local-elections-date-announced-after-massive-protests-apex-court-intervenes-569961">Sri Lanka: Local elections date announced after massive protests, apex court’s intervention</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/03/08/337480-untitled-design-59.jpg?imwidth=1920" />

Sri Lanka will conduct the local elections on April 25 instead of the previously scheduled date of March 9, the cash-strapped country's top election body announced. The development came after Sri Lanka's Supreme Court directed the Sri Lankan Election Commission to conduct the elections at the earliest.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-intelligence-warns-of-risky-confrontation-between-india-and-china-at-lac-570015">US intelligence warns of risky confrontation between India and China at LAC</a> 
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/03/08/337508-untitled-design-2023-03-08t230713486.png?imwidth=1920" />

The Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community, released recently, states that India and China's relations remain "strained" following their "lethal clash" in 2020.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-building-comes-crashing-down-in-indian-capital-no-casualties-so-far-569983">WATCH | Building comes crashing down in Indian capital, no casualties reported</a> 
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/03/08/337492-untitled-design-61.jpg?imwidth=1920" />

Delhi building collapse: A building collapse in the Indian national capital New Delhi fuelled chaos and panic safety among the residents of Bhajanpura where the incident took place . The four-storey building came crashing down minutes before its occupants had vacated it completely, initial reports said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nasa-isro-imaging-satellite-arrives-in-india-from-us-launch-by-indian-gslv-rocket-569972">NASA-ISRO imaging satellite arrives in India from US for 2024 launch by Indian GSLV rocket</a> 
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/03/08/337486-untitled-design-2023-03-08t190008930.png?imwidth=1920" />

The payload of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar(NISAR) imaging satellite arrived in Bengaluru, on a US Air Force C17 Globemaster III strategic airlift plane.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-intends-to-give-power-to-daughter-in-long-term-569911">North Korea’s Kim Jong Un intends to hand over power to daughter in long term</a> 
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/03/08/337451-korea.jpg?imwidth=1920" />

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un is planning to make his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, his potential successor, Sky News has reported, adding that he is looking to portray his family as a dynasty like the British Royal Family.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/feeling-left-out-injured-amitabh-bachchan-writes-sad-blog-post-569987">Feeling left out on Holi, injured Amitabh Bachchan writes sad blog post</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/03/06/336940-horizons-13.jpg?imwidth=1920" />

Amitabh Bachchan is not in the best of his health currently after he got injured on the set of his upcoming film Project K. Having cancelled all shoots till he heals, Amitabh shared a health update with fans and said he’s resting at the moment and taking it slow. But since it’s Holi, the actor found himself feeling left out – not being able to celebrate like previous years.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

As the battle for Bakhmut rages on, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday that the eastern Ukrainian city may fall into Russian hands in the coming days.

As the battle for Bakhmut rages on, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday that the eastern Ukrainian city may fall into Russian hands in the coming days. The continuing Bakhmut fighting and the encounters between the Russian and Ukrainian armed forces in and around the city is a wider war for Donbas region. In other news, Pakistan's Aurat March participants were baton-charged by Islamabad Police on Wednesday. The former prime minister Imran Khan strongly denounced the act. Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived in India on Wednesday on his first visit since assuming office in May last year. He announced that Australia's Deakin University would be setting up its branch at GIFT City in Gandhinagar, Gujarat as he finalised Australia-India Education Qualification Recognition Mechanism. Click on the headlines to read more: Bakhmut may fall within days, must not underestimate Russia: NATO chief NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday that Bakhmut, the city in eastern Ukraine that has witnessed fierce fighting in recent months, may fall into Russian hands in the coming days. Pakistan: Aurat March baton charged by Islamabad police as world celebrates Women’s Day Pakistan's Islamabad Police on Wednesday allegedly baton-charged participants in the Aurat March, an action which was widely condemned by the country's Human Rights Commission along with many other politicians and former Prime Minister Imran Khan. PM Anthony Albanese announces education recognition mechanism, Indian degrees to be recognized in Australia Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived in India on Wednesday on his first visit since assuming office in May last year. Albanese arrived in Gujarat's Ahmedabad on Wednesday evening and headed straight towards the Sabarmati Ashram in the city to pay his tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. Ned Price to step down as US State Department's spokesperson; Vedant Patel to be interim spokesperson Ned Price will step down as the US State Department’s Spokesperson this month, State Secretary Antony Blinken said in a press release on Tuesday (local time). Indian-American Vedant Patel, who is the Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State will be the interim spokesperson of the US State Department, as per reports. Sri Lanka: Local elections date announced after massive protests, apex court’s intervention Sri Lanka will conduct the local elections on April 25 instead of the previously scheduled date of March 9, the cash-strapped country's top election body announced. The development came after Sri Lanka's Supreme Court directed the Sri Lankan Election Commission to conduct the elections at the earliest. US intelligence warns of risky confrontation between India and China at LAC The Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community, released recently, states that India and China's relations remain "strained" following their "lethal clash" in 2020. WATCH | Building comes crashing down in Indian capital, no casualties reported Delhi building collapse: A building collapse in the Indian national capital New Delhi fuelled chaos and panic safety among the residents of Bhajanpura where the incident took place . The four-storey building came crashing down minutes before its occupants had vacated it completely, initial reports said. NASA-ISRO imaging satellite arrives in India from US for 2024 launch by Indian GSLV rocket The payload of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar(NISAR) imaging satellite arrived in Bengaluru, on a US Air Force C17 Globemaster III strategic airlift plane. North Korea’s Kim Jong Un intends to hand over power to daughter in long term North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un is planning to make his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, his potential successor, Sky News has reported, adding that he is looking to portray his family as a dynasty like the British Royal Family. Feeling left out on Holi, injured Amitabh Bachchan writes sad blog post Amitabh Bachchan is not in the best of his health currently after he got injured on the set of his upcoming film Project K. Having cancelled all shoots till he heals, Amitabh shared a health update with fans and said he’s resting at the moment and taking it slow. But since it’s Holi, the actor found himself feeling left out – not being able to celebrate like previous years.

Top 10 world news: NATO chief says Bakhmut may fall within days, Pakistan's Aurat March baton charged, & more

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. 
 
As Russia claims it is inching closer to seizing control of the Bakhmut city in the east, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ruled out withdrawing the troops from the besieged city, saying that such a move will allow Russian forces to capture key cities in eastern Ukraine.

“This is tactical for us,” Zelensky told CNN in an interview on Tuesday.

“We understand that after Bakhmut they could go further. They could go to Kramatorsk, they could go to Sloviansk, it would be an open road for the Russians after Bakhmut to other towns in Ukraine, in the Donetsk direction,” he was quoted as saying. “That’s why our guys are standing there.”

He stressed that Ukraine’s military will prolong its defence of the city despite Russia gaining an upper hand.

The eastern city has been witnessing&nbsp;months of intense fighting, as Russian mercenary Wagner Group and Russian troops have been trying&nbsp;to seize it. Ukraine has been valiantly maintaining its defence,&nbsp;and stalling advancement of the Russian troops.

<h2>Ukraine vows to keep defending Bakhmut amid constant attacks by Russian forces</h2>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ukraine-vows-to-keep-defending-bakhmut-amid-constant-attacks-by-russian-forces-569397/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Ukraine's president and military commanders have agreed to strengthen their defence of Bakhmut.

The Ukrainian leader said that there is a reason why they are stationing their troops there. “We understand what Russia wants to achieve there. Russia needs at least some victory – a small victory – even by ruining everything in Bakhmut, just killing every civilian there.”

Zelensky said that if Russia is able to capture Bakhmut, then it would give a major boost to their confidence after facing series of setbacks. He said that it would help “mobilize their society in order to create this idea they’re such a powerful army.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-denies-involvement-in-nord-stream-pipelines-blast-569843">Ukraine denies involvement in Nord Stream pipelines blast</a>

Experts opine that Bakhmut holds little to no strategic significance for Russia. But they believe that fall of the eastern city would open doors to other cities like Kramatorsk and Sloviansk — two densely populated, industrial urban hubs to the northwest.

Responding to reports that some commanders and lower level officers have questioned the merit of holding Bakhmut amid a rising number of casualties, Zelensky said he has “never heard anything like that” from his commanders.

“We have to think about our people first and no one should be surrounded, encircled – this is very important,” he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. As Russia claims it is inching closer to seizing control of the Bakhmut city in the east, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ruled out withdrawing the troops from the besieged city, saying that such a move will allow Russian forces to capture key cities in eastern Ukraine. “This is tactical for us,” Zelensky told CNN in an interview on Tuesday. “We understand that after Bakhmut they could go further. They could go to Kramatorsk, they could go to Sloviansk, it would be an open road for the Russians after Bakhmut to other towns in Ukraine, in the Donetsk direction,” he was quoted as saying. “That’s why our guys are standing there.” He stressed that Ukraine’s military will prolong its defence of the city despite Russia gaining an upper hand. The eastern city has been witnessing months of intense fighting, as Russian mercenary Wagner Group and Russian troops have been trying to seize it. Ukraine has been valiantly maintaining its defence, and stalling advancement of the Russian troops. Ukraine vows to keep defending Bakhmut amid constant attacks by Russian forces Ukraine's president and military commanders have agreed to strengthen their defence of Bakhmut. The Ukrainian leader said that there is a reason why they are stationing their troops there. “We understand what Russia wants to achieve there. Russia needs at least some victory – a small victory – even by ruining everything in Bakhmut, just killing every civilian there.” Zelensky said that if Russia is able to capture Bakhmut, then it would give a major boost to their confidence after facing series of setbacks. He said that it would help “mobilize their society in order to create this idea they’re such a powerful army.” Also read | Ukraine denies involvement in Nord Stream pipelines blast Experts opine that Bakhmut holds little to no strategic significance for Russia. But they believe that fall of the eastern city would open doors to other cities like Kramatorsk and Sloviansk — two densely populated, industrial urban hubs to the northwest. Responding to reports that some commanders and lower level officers have questioned the merit of holding Bakhmut amid a rising number of casualties, Zelensky said he has “never heard anything like that” from his commanders. “We have to think about our people first and no one should be surrounded, encircled – this is very important,” he said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

‘Won’t withdraw from Bakhmut,’ says Ukraine’s Zelensky with Russia on cusp of seizing control city

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all latest news and top headlines from all across the globe. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the country's top military commanders have taken a vow to keep defending Bakhmut despite the "constant attacks" from Russian forces.

Ukraine vows to keep defending Bakhmut amid constant attacks by Russian forces

Both Russia and Ukraine are ramping up their offensive at the Bakhmut battlefield and building up their military troops in the region. As the battle grinds on, a new friction point was hit between the archrivals on Monday.

In a video that emerged online, a Ukrainian soldier was seen smoking in a trench, when a soldier who is believed to be Russian, was heard saying "die" and using a swear word. Seconds later, he shoots dead the Ukrainian soldier with automatic weapons.&nbsp;

The last words by Ukrainian soldier were "Glory to Ukraine!" before he falls into a shallow hole in the ground. The preliminary investigation revealed the Ukrainian soldier was Tymofiy Shadura.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Note that I cut this video because of how gruesome the end of it is, but Americans need to see how inhumane and monstrous the Russians are in Ukraine. 
 
This brave Ukrainian soldier stood unarmed next to multiple Russian Soldiers. He said "Glory to Ukraine," as he took a drag of… <a href="https://t.co/aDv1F9Ono9">https://t.co/aDv1F9Ono9</a> <a href="https://t.co/wEiVOWIhIk">pic.twitter.com/wEiVOWIhIk</a>
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/krassenstein/status/1632846320451956737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

After the incident came to light, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky on Monday warned, "We will find the murderers."&nbsp;&nbsp;

During his video address, the president said, “I want us all together, in unity, to respond to his words: “Glory to the hero! Glory to heroes! Glory to Ukraine!”&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
"A video appeared today showing how the occupiers brutally killed a soldier who bravely said to their face: "Glory to Ukraine!" I want us all together, in unity, to respond to his words: "Glory to the hero! Glory to heroes! Glory to Ukraine!" And we will find the killers." <a href="https://t.co/97fXSSjuME">pic.twitter.com/97fXSSjuME</a>
— NOËL 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) <a href="https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1632839632336322562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-defence-secretary-lloyd-austin-visits-iraq-vows-defence-support-against-daesh-569575">US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin visits Iraq, vows defence support against Daesh</a>

The 30th Separate Mechanised Brigade in a statement said, the soldier was last seen on 3 February near the eastern city of Bakhmut. "Currently, the body of our serviceman is in the temporarily occupied territory."&nbsp;&nbsp;In a facebook post, it wrote, "The hero's brothers express sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. Revenge will be irreversible."

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/germany-planning-to-ban-huawei-zte-from-parts-of-5g-networks-paper-569540">Germany planning to ban Huawei, ZTE from parts of 5G networks: Paper</a>

Shadura's sister in conversation with a UK media outlet said, "My brother would certainly be capable of standing up to the Russians like that."&nbsp;

"He never hid the truth in his life and certainly wouldn't do so in front of the enemy."&nbsp;A criminal probe will be made into the killing, said Ukraine's chief prosecutor.&nbsp;

The video of the execution broke internet when netizens and supporters of Ukraine flooded the social media with artwork of the Ukrainian soldier.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Slava Ukraini! 💔🇺🇦 <a href="https://t.co/iZINgLUwvX">pic.twitter.com/iZINgLUwvX</a>
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) <a href="https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1632824081878851585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Watch | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/why-is-estonias-election-result-important-for-ukraine-569565">Why is Estonia's election result important for Ukraine?</a>

The identification of the killer could not be ascertained as he was not seen in the video that has now gone viral.&nbsp;Ukraine's armed forces has termed the shooting of the unarmed Ukrainian soldier "cynical and brazen" This is what worthless murderers do, not warriors, it added.&nbsp;

"The Russian occupiers have once again shown that their main goal in Ukraine is the brutal extermination of Ukrainians."

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Both Russia and Ukraine are ramping up their offensive at the Bakhmut battlefield and building up their military troops in the region. As the battle grinds on, a new friction point was hit between the archrivals on Monday.

Both Russia and Ukraine are ramping up their offensive at the Bakhmut battlefield and building up their military troops in the region. As the battle grinds on, a new friction point was hit between the archrivals on Monday. In a video that emerged online, a Ukrainian soldier was seen smoking in a trench, when a soldier who is believed to be Russian, was heard saying "die" and using a swear word. Seconds later, he shoots dead the Ukrainian soldier with automatic weapons. The last words by Ukrainian soldier were "Glory to Ukraine!" before he falls into a shallow hole in the ground. The preliminary investigation revealed the Ukrainian soldier was Tymofiy Shadura. Note that I cut this video because of how gruesome the end of it is, but Americans need to see how inhumane and monstrous the Russians are in Ukraine. This brave Ukrainian soldier stood unarmed next to multiple Russian Soldiers. He said "Glory to Ukraine," as he took a drag of… https://t.co/aDv1F9Ono9 pic.twitter.com/wEiVOWIhIk — Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) March 6, 2023 × After the incident came to light, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky on Monday warned, "We will find the murderers." During his video address, the president said, “I want us all together, in unity, to respond to his words: “Glory to the hero! Glory to heroes! Glory to Ukraine!” "A video appeared today showing how the occupiers brutally killed a soldier who bravely said to their face: "Glory to Ukraine!" I want us all together, in unity, to respond to his words: "Glory to the hero! Glory to heroes! Glory to Ukraine!" And we will find the killers." pic.twitter.com/97fXSSjuME — NOËL 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) March 6, 2023 × Also Read | US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin visits Iraq, vows defence support against Daesh The 30th Separate Mechanised Brigade in a statement said, the soldier was last seen on 3 February near the eastern city of Bakhmut. "Currently, the body of our serviceman is in the temporarily occupied territory." In a facebook post, it wrote, "The hero's brothers express sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. Revenge will be irreversible." Also Read | Germany planning to ban Huawei, ZTE from parts of 5G networks: Paper Shadura's sister in conversation with a UK media outlet said, "My brother would certainly be capable of standing up to the Russians like that." "He never hid the truth in his life and certainly wouldn't do so in front of the enemy." A criminal probe will be made into the killing, said Ukraine's chief prosecutor. The video of the execution broke internet when netizens and supporters of Ukraine flooded the social media with artwork of the Ukrainian soldier. Slava Ukraini! 💔🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/iZINgLUwvX — Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) March 6, 2023 × Watch | Why is Estonia's election result important for Ukraine? The identification of the killer could not be ascertained as he was not seen in the video that has now gone viral. Ukraine's armed forces has termed the shooting of the unarmed Ukrainian soldier "cynical and brazen" This is what worthless murderers do, not warriors, it added. "The Russian occupiers have once again shown that their main goal in Ukraine is the brutal extermination of Ukrainians." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

WATCH | 'Glory to Ukraine!' Last words by Ukrainian soldier shot by Russians

Ukraine has pledged to bolster its Defences in frontline Bakhmut that has become a symbolic prize in the war with Russia. The eastern Ukrainian city has been badly damaged during the longest and the bloodiest battle since Russia invaded Ukraine more than a year ago. Meanwhile Ukrainian president Volodymr Zelensky has asked the army to find forces to strengthen the Defences of the city

Ukraine vows not to give up on Bakhmut

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine will continue military operations to defend the embattled city of Bakhmut, which will be backed by senior generals.

Zelensky said he held discussions over Bakhmut with Oleksandr Syrsky, commander of the country's ground forces, and Valery Zaluzhny, the head of Ukraine's armed forces, reported BBC.

"They spoke in favour of continuing the defensive operation and further strengthening our positions in Bakhmut," he said in a statement.

Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak reiterated the "consensus" in the Ukraine army to continue fighting for Bakhmut, a city which Russia is determined to capture.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ordinary-bureaucracy-or-a-betrayal-wagner-chief-says-without-fresh-ammunition-bakhmut-could-collapse-569053">'Ordinary bureaucracy or a betrayal?': Wagner chief says without promised ammunition, Bakhmut could collapse</a>

Bakhmut has witnessed the longest-running and bloodiest battle of the Russia-Ukraine war, even as analysts state that the city has little strategic significance.

"There is a consensus among the military on the need to continue defending the city and the attrition of enemy forces while building new lines and lines of defence in case the situation changes," Podolyak said.

As per Podolyak, their operations to defend Bakhmut has "achieved its goals" as it has exhausted Russia's "main combat-ready" units and provided the opportunity to train "tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops to prepare a counteroffensive."

He stated that "even if at some point the military leadership decides to withdraw to more advantageous positions", defending Bakhmut will be a "great strategic success" for the Ukrainian army.

"However, to date, no such decision has been made" by the military head, stated Podolyak.

Meanwhile, the head of Wagner's private army, which is fighting for Russia, said that it is not getting the required ammunition from Moscow, as it continues to make attempts to gain control of Bakhmut.

WATCH | Russia Ukraine War: Russia's Wagner Group says, 'Two years till Donetsk capture'

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-war-russias-wagner-group-says-two-years-till-donetsk-capture-561240/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin said that the lack of ammunition supply can be "ordinary bureaucracy or a betrayal".

Earlier on Monday, Ukraine stated that the defences will be bolstered by Ukraine in the salt-mining city, where the two sides have suffered heavy losses.&nbsp;

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

&nbsp;

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine will continue military operations to defend the embattled city of Bakhmut, which will be backed by senior generals. Zelensky said he held discussions over Bakhmut with Oleksandr Syrsky, commander of the country's ground forces, and Valery Zaluzhny, the head of Ukraine's armed forces, reported BBC.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine will continue military operations to defend the embattled city of Bakhmut, which will be backed by senior generals. Zelensky said he held discussions over Bakhmut with Oleksandr Syrsky, commander of the country's ground forces, and Valery Zaluzhny, the head of Ukraine's armed forces, reported BBC. "They spoke in favour of continuing the defensive operation and further strengthening our positions in Bakhmut," he said in a statement. Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak reiterated the "consensus" in the Ukraine army to continue fighting for Bakhmut, a city which Russia is determined to capture. ALSO READ | 'Ordinary bureaucracy or a betrayal?': Wagner chief says without promised ammunition, Bakhmut could collapse Bakhmut has witnessed the longest-running and bloodiest battle of the Russia-Ukraine war, even as analysts state that the city has little strategic significance. "There is a consensus among the military on the need to continue defending the city and the attrition of enemy forces while building new lines and lines of defence in case the situation changes," Podolyak said. As per Podolyak, their operations to defend Bakhmut has "achieved its goals" as it has exhausted Russia's "main combat-ready" units and provided the opportunity to train "tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops to prepare a counteroffensive." He stated that "even if at some point the military leadership decides to withdraw to more advantageous positions", defending Bakhmut will be a "great strategic success" for the Ukrainian army. "However, to date, no such decision has been made" by the military head, stated Podolyak. Meanwhile, the head of Wagner's private army, which is fighting for Russia, said that it is not getting the required ammunition from Moscow, as it continues to make attempts to gain control of Bakhmut. WATCH | Russia Ukraine War: Russia's Wagner Group says, 'Two years till Donetsk capture' Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin said that the lack of ammunition supply can be "ordinary bureaucracy or a betrayal". Earlier on Monday, Ukraine stated that the defences will be bolstered by Ukraine in the salt-mining city, where the two sides have suffered heavy losses. Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Russia-Ukraine war | Operations to defend embattled Bakhmut will go on, says Zelensky

As the Battle of Bakhmut rages on, Russia's Wagner mercenary Force Chief says that his men are being deprived of ammunition. He also says that if they are forced to retreat, the entire front line would collapse.

Wagner Chief: Our men running short of ammunition | Battle of Bakhmut

China has announced that its defence spending will increase by 7.2 percent. This would be its fastest rise in military spending in four decades. The announcement came as Beijing warned of escalating threats from abroad at its annual National People's Congress rubber stamp Parliament which is an important window into Beijing's policies.

China: Economy touted to grow at lowest rate, focus still on defence

The head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner has warned that unless his troops are fortified with ammunition, Moscow's position in the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut is in peril. This, as per Reuters, can be seen as the latest sign of tensions between the Kremlin and the private militia chief. Ukrainian military officials and analysts too have reported reluctance on the part of Russia's 155th brigade leaders. Reportedly, after sustaining severe losses in fighting near the town of Vuhledar, south of Bakhmut, they are resisting orders to attack.

Watch |&nbsp;Russian forces surround Bakhmut; tide changes as Kyiv's hold weakens

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russian-forces-surround-bakhmut-tide-changes-as-kyivs-hold-weakens-568743/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner chief, said that Russia's front lines could collapse if his forces did not receive the ammunition that Moscow had promised in February.

"For now, we are trying to figure out the reason: is it just ordinary bureaucracy or a betrayal," said Prigozhin on Telegram. He was referring to the absence of ammunition.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-begins-withdrawal-from-eastern-bakhmut-town-as-russia-gains-upper-hand-568405">Ukraine begins withdrawal from Bakhmut as Russia gains upper hand: Report</a>

"If Wagner retreats from Bakhmut now, the whole front will collapse," he said, adding "the situation will not be sweet for all military formations protecting Russian interests."

Prigozhin regularly criticises Russian defence chiefs and top generals. Reuters reports that in February he had even termed the withholding of munition supplies as "treason".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/battle-for-bakhmut-rages-on-as-russian-forces-attempt-to-encircle-city-residents-flee-568971">Battle for Bakhmut rages on as Russian forces attempt to ‘encircle’ city; residents flee</a>

A Russian victory in Bakhmut could give Moscow its first major prize in a costly winter offensive. Russia has acknowledged the city's importance and calls it a stepping stone to completing the capture of the Donbas industrial region, one of Moscow's important objectives.

The fighting in the city and around "is very much hell-like, as it is on the entire eastern front," as per Volodymyr Nazarenko, a commander of Ukrainian troops in Bakhmut.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner has warned that unless his troops are fortified with ammunition, Moscow's position in the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut is in peril.

The head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner has warned that unless his troops are fortified with ammunition, Moscow's position in the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut is in peril. This, as per Reuters, can be seen as the latest sign of tensions between the Kremlin and the private militia chief. Ukrainian military officials and analysts too have reported reluctance on the part of Russia's 155th brigade leaders. Reportedly, after sustaining severe losses in fighting near the town of Vuhledar, south of Bakhmut, they are resisting orders to attack. Watch | Russian forces surround Bakhmut; tide changes as Kyiv's hold weakens Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner chief, said that Russia's front lines could collapse if his forces did not receive the ammunition that Moscow had promised in February. "For now, we are trying to figure out the reason: is it just ordinary bureaucracy or a betrayal," said Prigozhin on Telegram. He was referring to the absence of ammunition. Also read | Ukraine begins withdrawal from Bakhmut as Russia gains upper hand: Report "If Wagner retreats from Bakhmut now, the whole front will collapse," he said, adding "the situation will not be sweet for all military formations protecting Russian interests." Prigozhin regularly criticises Russian defence chiefs and top generals. Reuters reports that in February he had even termed the withholding of munition supplies as "treason". Also read | Battle for Bakhmut rages on as Russian forces attempt to ‘encircle’ city; residents flee A Russian victory in Bakhmut could give Moscow its first major prize in a costly winter offensive. Russia has acknowledged the city's importance and calls it a stepping stone to completing the capture of the Donbas industrial region, one of Moscow's important objectives. The fighting in the city and around "is very much hell-like, as it is on the entire eastern front," as per Volodymyr Nazarenko, a commander of Ukrainian troops in Bakhmut. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Ordinary bureaucracy or a betrayal?': Wagner chief says without promised ammunition, Bakhmut could collapse

The eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut continues to witness intense fighting as Russia attempts to “encircle the town”, forcing civilians to leave on foot rather than vehicles. Reports also suggested that it seems like both Moscow and Kyiv are struggling with weapon shortages and mounting casualties. This comes as Bakhmut has become the epicentre of fighting in the past few months.&nbsp;

On Sunday morning, a Ukrainian general said “more than 130 enemy attacks,” have been repelled from areas including Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut and Avdiivka in the eastern regions of Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv. He added, “The enemy continues its attempts to encircle the town of Bakhmut.”&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/heavy-fighting-underway-as-russian-troops-surround-bakhmut-568957">Heavy fighting underway as Russian troops surround Bakhmut</a>

This comes after the Russian mercenary group Wagner's chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, late Saturday said that if his forces were to withdraw, Moscow’s entire frontline would collapse. Subsequently, in a video address on Sunday, he said that Russia’s ministry of defence was not doing enough to support his men in terms of ammunition. “If the private mercenary force Wagner retreats from Bakhmut, the whole front will crumble…to the Russian borders and maybe further”, said the Wagner chief, as per the Guardian.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Ukrainian military’s eastern command, Serhiy Cherevatyi said Bakhmut was Russia’s “priority target” but their troops are “doing everything to defend this settlement and also inflict maximum losses on the enemy”, reported Reuters. In an interview with Ukraine’s Kyiv24 on Sunday, the war-torn country’s top commander described the situation in the city as “hell” and that Russian forces were still on the outskirts of the city.&nbsp;

Think tank ISW and UK defence ministry weigh in

The Washington-based think tank, Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in a statement, on Sunday, said, “Russian forces appear to have secured a sufficient positional advantage to conduct a turning movement against parts of Bakhmut but have not yet forced Ukrainian forces to withdraw and will not likely be able to encircle the city soon.”&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-begins-withdrawal-from-eastern-bakhmut-town-as-russia-gains-upper-hand-568405">Ukraine begins withdrawal from Bakhmut as Russia gains upper hand: Report</a>

It added that the purpose of this turning movement “is to force the enemy to abandon prepared defensive positions and is different from the aim of an encirclement, which is to trap and destroy enemy forces.” However, the Ukrainian command has signalled that it might withdraw from the city rather than risk an encirclement, said the ISW.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Latest on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ukraine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ukraine</a>: 
 
Russian forces appear to have secured a sufficient positional advantage to conduct a turning movement against parts of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bakhmut?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bakhmut</a> but have not yet forced Ukrainian forces to withdraw and will not likely be able to encircle the city soon. <a href="https://t.co/MrFvmVbnTj">https://t.co/MrFvmVbnTj</a> <a href="https://t.co/ijHXmHYVMl">pic.twitter.com/ijHXmHYVMl</a>
— ISW (@TheStudyofWar) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1632374953545801729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence, in its update on Sunday said Russia engaging in “close combat” with Ukraine would signal that Russia is short on ammunition. They also claim that Russian-mobilised reservists in late February were ordered to assault a Ukrainian strongpoint armed with only “firearms and shovels”. It added that the shovels “are likely entrenching tools being employed for hand-to-hand combat.”&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/battle-for-bakhmut-rages-on-round-the-clock-as-russia-intensifies-offensive-568225">Battle for Bakhmut rages on ‘round the clock’ as Russia intensifies offensive</a>

This also comes a day after the British intelligence update said that Ukrainian troops in the past 36 hours have destroyed two key bridges just outside Bakhmut linking to the nearby town of Chasiv Yar, along the last remaining Ukrainian resupply route. The action was prompted by the Russian forces making further inroads into Bakhmut’s northern suburbs.&nbsp;

Residents in Bakhmut flee

As the pressure from Russian forces mounted on Saturday in Bakhmut, Ukrainian residents in the city were forced to flee. An unnamed Ukrainian army representative speaking to the Associated Press said that was now too dangerous for civilians to leave Bakhmut by vehicle and that people had to flee on foot instead. According to AP, a pontoon bridge was set up by Ukrainian soldiers to help move the residents to the nearby village of Khromove, where at least five houses were seen on fire after attacks on the village.&nbsp;

Russian army claims to have hit Azov Regiment command centre in Ukraine

The Russian defence ministry, in a statement, said that they have hit a Ukrainian command centre for the Azov Regiment in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region. However, it did not elaborate on the attack or even mention the battle around Bakhmut in its Sunday bulletin.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russian-forces-tries-to-encircle-and-storm-bakhmut-567539">Russian Forces try to encircle and storm Bakhmut</a>

Women and children killed in Kherson; Death toll after strike in Zaporizhzhia rises to 11

A woman and two children were killed in the Ukrainian region of Kherson after their village was hit by a Russian mortar shelling, said the head of Kyiv’s presidential office, Andriy Yermak on Sunday. “Mortar shelling of Poniativka village in Kherson region. A private house was hit”, he wrote on the messaging app Telegram.&nbsp;

On Saturday, the Ukrainian state emergency service said that at least 11 people were killed after an apartment block in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia was hit by an early morning strike last week. The agency took to Telegram and said that the death toll rose after they found a woman’s body in the debris.&nbsp;

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

 
WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut continues to witness intense fighting as Russia attempts to “encircle the town”, forcing civilians to leave on foot rather than vehicles.

The eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut continues to witness intense fighting as Russia attempts to “encircle the town”, forcing civilians to leave on foot rather than vehicles. Reports also suggested that it seems like both Moscow and Kyiv are struggling with weapon shortages and mounting casualties. This comes as Bakhmut has become the epicentre of fighting in the past few months. On Sunday morning, a Ukrainian general said “more than 130 enemy attacks,” have been repelled from areas including Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut and Avdiivka in the eastern regions of Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv. He added, “The enemy continues its attempts to encircle the town of Bakhmut.” ALSO WATCH | Heavy fighting underway as Russian troops surround Bakhmut This comes after the Russian mercenary group Wagner's chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, late Saturday said that if his forces were to withdraw, Moscow’s entire frontline would collapse. Subsequently, in a video address on Sunday, he said that Russia’s ministry of defence was not doing enough to support his men in terms of ammunition. “If the private mercenary force Wagner retreats from Bakhmut, the whole front will crumble…to the Russian borders and maybe further”, said the Wagner chief, as per the Guardian. Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Ukrainian military’s eastern command, Serhiy Cherevatyi said Bakhmut was Russia’s “priority target” but their troops are “doing everything to defend this settlement and also inflict maximum losses on the enemy”, reported Reuters. In an interview with Ukraine’s Kyiv24 on Sunday, the war-torn country’s top commander described the situation in the city as “hell” and that Russian forces were still on the outskirts of the city. Think tank ISW and UK defence ministry weigh in The Washington-based think tank, Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in a statement, on Sunday, said, “Russian forces appear to have secured a sufficient positional advantage to conduct a turning movement against parts of Bakhmut but have not yet forced Ukrainian forces to withdraw and will not likely be able to encircle the city soon.” ALSO READ | Ukraine begins withdrawal from Bakhmut as Russia gains upper hand: Report It added that the purpose of this turning movement “is to force the enemy to abandon prepared defensive positions and is different from the aim of an encirclement, which is to trap and destroy enemy forces.” However, the Ukrainian command has signalled that it might withdraw from the city rather than risk an encirclement, said the ISW. Latest on #Ukraine: Russian forces appear to have secured a sufficient positional advantage to conduct a turning movement against parts of #Bakhmut but have not yet forced Ukrainian forces to withdraw and will not likely be able to encircle the city soon. https://t.co/MrFvmVbnTj pic.twitter.com/ijHXmHYVMl — ISW (@TheStudyofWar) March 5, 2023 × Meanwhile, the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence, in its update on Sunday said Russia engaging in “close combat” with Ukraine would signal that Russia is short on ammunition. They also claim that Russian-mobilised reservists in late February were ordered to assault a Ukrainian strongpoint armed with only “firearms and shovels”. It added that the shovels “are likely entrenching tools being employed for hand-to-hand combat.” ALSO READ | Battle for Bakhmut rages on ‘round the clock’ as Russia intensifies offensive This also comes a day after the British intelligence update said that Ukrainian troops in the past 36 hours have destroyed two key bridges just outside Bakhmut linking to the nearby town of Chasiv Yar, along the last remaining Ukrainian resupply route. The action was prompted by the Russian forces making further inroads into Bakhmut’s northern suburbs. Residents in Bakhmut flee As the pressure from Russian forces mounted on Saturday in Bakhmut, Ukrainian residents in the city were forced to flee. An unnamed Ukrainian army representative speaking to the Associated Press said that was now too dangerous for civilians to leave Bakhmut by vehicle and that people had to flee on foot instead. According to AP, a pontoon bridge was set up by Ukrainian soldiers to help move the residents to the nearby village of Khromove, where at least five houses were seen on fire after attacks on the village. Russian army claims to have hit Azov Regiment command centre in Ukraine The Russian defence ministry, in a statement, said that they have hit a Ukrainian command centre for the Azov Regiment in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region. However, it did not elaborate on the attack or even mention the battle around Bakhmut in its Sunday bulletin. ALSO WATCH | Russian Forces try to encircle and storm Bakhmut Women and children killed in Kherson; Death toll after strike in Zaporizhzhia rises to 11 A woman and two children were killed in the Ukrainian region of Kherson after their village was hit by a Russian mortar shelling, said the head of Kyiv’s presidential office, Andriy Yermak on Sunday. “Mortar shelling of Poniativka village in Kherson region. A private house was hit”, he wrote on the messaging app Telegram. On Saturday, the Ukrainian state emergency service said that at least 11 people were killed after an apartment block in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia was hit by an early morning strike last week. The agency took to Telegram and said that the death toll rose after they found a woman’s body in the debris. Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Battle for Bakhmut rages on as Russian forces attempt to ‘encircle’ city; residents flee

After a seven month long battle, pressure is now mounting on Ukrainian troops holding out in the Eastern city of Bakhmut. According to the latest reports, as the battle rages on the Ukrainian army is trying to help civilians flee the city which Russian forces have spent months trying to capture.

Heavy fighting underway as Russian troops surround Bakhmut

Russian artillery is attacking the last routes out of Bakhmut, aiming to complete the encirclement of the besieged Ukrainian city and bring Moscow closer to its first major victory in half a year after the bloodiest battle of the war.

Russia hopes to capture all of Donbas region in Ukraine's East

Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine is now the epicentre of the Russian-Ukraine battle. The Russian and Ukrainian forces are locked in a gruesome exchange battling through the streets of eastern city. After months of fighting, the tide is changing against Kiev.

Russian forces surround Bakhmut; tide changes as Kyiv's hold weakens

Russian military group Wagner claims to have surrounded Bakhmut

Ukraine has started withdrawing its troops from the embattled Bakhmut, as Russia inches closed to one of its major victories this year, Sky News reported.

Russia's Wagner private army chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in a video posted on social media said that only one road out of Bakhmut remains under Ukrainian control and called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to abandon the city.

“Units of the private military company Wagner have practically surrounded Bakhmut,” Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin said, appearing in combat uniform in a video posted on Telegram.

“Only one route [out] is left,” he said. “The pincers are closing.”

A top Ukrainian presidential adviser told CNN on Tuesday that Kyiv was considering leaving the eastern city, which has been blasted to ruins by Russian artillery.

“So far they’ve held the city, but if need be, they will strategically pull back because we’re not going to sacrifice all of our people just for nothing,” Alexander Rodnyansky was quoted as saying.

<h2>Gravitas: Russia looks at its first major victory</h2>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-russia-looks-at-its-first-major-victory-568304/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Bakhmut is located in Donetsk province—one of four provinces illegally annexed by Russia last fall. Kremlin controls half of the Donetsk province.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-will-support-kyiv-as-long-as-it-takes-joe-biden-and-olaf-scholz-vow-to-fight-russia-568356">'Will support Kyiv as long as it takes': US President Joe Biden &amp; German Chancellor Scholz vow Ukraine support</a>

In order to seize control of the remaining half of that province, Russian forces must pass through Bakhmut, which will then pave the way for bigger Ukrainian cities.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-likely-to-run-out-of-money-next-year-claims-oligarch-oleg-deripaska-567969">&nbsp;Russia likely to run out of money next year, claims oligarch Oleg Deripaska</a>

This is the second Ukrainian city that has fallen to its foe Russia. In January, Moscow was able to take control of the salt mining town of Soledar through sheer force.

(With inputs from agencies)

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Ukraine has started withdrawing its troops from the embattled Bakhmut, as Russia inches closed to one of its major victories this year, Sky News reported. Russia's Wagner private army chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in a video posted on social media said that only one road out of Bakhmut remains under Ukrainian control and called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to abandon the city.

Ukraine has started withdrawing its troops from the embattled Bakhmut, as Russia inches closed to one of its major victories this year, Sky News reported. Russia's Wagner private army chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in a video posted on social media said that only one road out of Bakhmut remains under Ukrainian control and called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to abandon the city. “Units of the private military company Wagner have practically surrounded Bakhmut,” Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin said, appearing in combat uniform in a video posted on Telegram. “Only one route [out] is left,” he said. “The pincers are closing.” A top Ukrainian presidential adviser told CNN on Tuesday that Kyiv was considering leaving the eastern city, which has been blasted to ruins by Russian artillery. “So far they’ve held the city, but if need be, they will strategically pull back because we’re not going to sacrifice all of our people just for nothing,” Alexander Rodnyansky was quoted as saying. Gravitas: Russia looks at its first major victory Bakhmut is located in Donetsk province—one of four provinces illegally annexed by Russia last fall. Kremlin controls half of the Donetsk province. Also read | 'Will support Kyiv as long as it takes': US President Joe Biden & German Chancellor Scholz vow Ukraine support In order to seize control of the remaining half of that province, Russian forces must pass through Bakhmut, which will then pave the way for bigger Ukrainian cities. Also read | Russia likely to run out of money next year, claims oligarch Oleg Deripaska This is the second Ukrainian city that has fallen to its foe Russia. In January, Moscow was able to take control of the salt mining town of Soledar through sheer force. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Ukraine begins withdrawal from Bakhmut as Russia gains upper hand: Report

Russian troops and mercenaries rained artillery on the last access routes to the besieged Ukrainian city of Bakhmut on Friday, bringing Moscow closer to its first major victory in half a year after the bloodiest fighting of the war.

Russian forces surrounds Bakhmut

Russian troops advance, Ukraine clings to Bakhmut

Israeli settlers go a rampage in Huwara and resort to arson & vandalism of Palestinian homes Taliban kill 2 top ISIS-K commanders in Central Kabul & the M23 rebels capture yet another key town as they march towards Goma. Mohammed Saleh gets you an in depth report of the world's biggest warzones of the week in World At War.

World at War | Why is Ukraine losing Bakhmut to Russia despite using U.S. weapons?

British military intelligence said on Saturday (March 4) that Ukrainian forces were under severe increasing pressure defending Bakhkmut against Russian attacks. Intense fighting is taking place in and around the city. Russian army, aided by private military troops from Wagner group have made advances in Bakhmut's northern suburbs. Ukraine is reinforcing the area with elite military troops, said British Defence Ministry in its daily intelligence bulletin.

Watch | Ukraine to get tactical bridges to move tanks and armoured vehicles; Will China send arms to Russia?

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ukraine-to-get-tactical-bridges-to-move-tanks-and-armoured-vehicles-will-china-send-arms-to-russia-568378/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Two key bridges in Bakhmut have been destroyed within the last 36 hours, it said, adding that Ukrainian-held resupply routes out of the city are increasingly limited.

One of those bridges connected Bakhmut to the city's last main supply route from the Ukrainian-held town of Chasiv Yar, about 13 km (eight miles) to the west, it said.

Ukraine's military command said Russia was still trying to surround Bakhmut but added that over the past day Ukrainian forces had beaten back Russian attacks in the city.

"The enemy does not cease attempts to surround Bakhmut," it said in its morning briefing note on Saturday, adding that over the past day Ukrainian forces had beaten back Russian attacks in Bakhmut.

Russian artillery pounded the last routes out of Bakhmut on Friday, aiming to complete the encirclement of the besieged city and bring Moscow closer to its first major victory in the war in six months.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-begins-withdrawal-from-eastern-bakhmut-town-as-russia-gains-upper-hand-568405">Ukraine begins withdrawal from Bakhmut as Russia gains upper hand: Report</a>

The Ukrainian briefing note also said that Russian attacks had been foiled in the villages of Ivanivske and Bohdanivka, both of which lie less than eight km (five miles) west of Bakhmut's city centre.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

British military intelligence said on Saturday (March 4) that Ukrainian forces were under severe increasing pressure defending Bakhkmut against Russian attacks. Intense fighting is taking place in and around the city.

British military intelligence said on Saturday (March 4) that Ukrainian forces were under severe increasing pressure defending Bakhkmut against Russian attacks. Intense fighting is taking place in and around the city. Russian army, aided by private military troops from Wagner group have made advances in Bakhmut's northern suburbs. Ukraine is reinforcing the area with elite military troops, said British Defence Ministry in its daily intelligence bulletin. Watch | Ukraine to get tactical bridges to move tanks and armoured vehicles; Will China send arms to Russia? × Two key bridges in Bakhmut have been destroyed within the last 36 hours, it said, adding that Ukrainian-held resupply routes out of the city are increasingly limited. One of those bridges connected Bakhmut to the city's last main supply route from the Ukrainian-held town of Chasiv Yar, about 13 km (eight miles) to the west, it said. Ukraine's military command said Russia was still trying to surround Bakhmut but added that over the past day Ukrainian forces had beaten back Russian attacks in the city. "The enemy does not cease attempts to surround Bakhmut," it said in its morning briefing note on Saturday, adding that over the past day Ukrainian forces had beaten back Russian attacks in Bakhmut. Russian artillery pounded the last routes out of Bakhmut on Friday, aiming to complete the encirclement of the besieged city and bring Moscow closer to its first major victory in the war in six months. Also Read | Ukraine begins withdrawal from Bakhmut as Russia gains upper hand: Report The Ukrainian briefing note also said that Russian attacks had been foiled in the villages of Ivanivske and Bohdanivka, both of which lie less than eight km (five miles) west of Bakhmut's city centre. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Ukraine forces under severe pressure defending Bakhmut, says UK

Russian troops and mercenaries rained artillery on the last access routes to the besieged Ukrainian city of Bakhmut on Friday, bringing Moscow closer to its first major victory in half a year after the bloodiest fighting of the war. Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: Russia looks at its first major victory

Ukrainian forces are clinging to the Eastern city of Bakhmut, and they are digging new trenches. However, the Russians seem to be closing in on the city's capture.

Bakhmut assault nearing its end? Ukraine says situation critical | Round the clock fighting

As Russia seeks to secure its first major win in the war in over half a year, Ukraine clings on to the Eastern city of Bakhmut. Professor Charles A. Kupchan joins us to discuss what's next in the Russia-Ukraine war.

What's next in the Russia-Ukraine war?

A soldier from Ukraine’s 93th Brigade said his country’s forces are still standing in the eastern city of Bakhmut, with no plans for a retreat. “We are standing in Bakhmut. No one is going to retreat yet,” the soldier said in a video posted by the Ukrainian military on Wednesday. “We are standing. Bakhmut is Ukraine.”

Russia- Ukraine war: Ukrainian soldiers say 'situation calmer'

As the war in Ukraine spills into its second year, focus is now on the city of Bakhmut. From the past six months Russian forces has been trying to encircle and capture Bakhmut. Ukrainian forces have now mounted a fierce resistance, preventing the fall of city.

Russian Forces try to encircle and storm Bakhmut

Ukraine said its forces are under pressure in Bakhmut, a nearly-destroyed city in the eastern Donetsk region that Russia has been trying to seize for months. Ukraine's ground forces described the situation as "extremely tense".

Russian troops grow stronger around Bakhmut, situation 'extremely tense'

While visiting the frontline town of Bakhmut, where Ukrainian soldiers were holding out against relentless bombardment, Kyiv's top general received a strong warning from the United States about the ramifications of China providing armaments to back Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

US National security advisor: China has to make its own decisions

As the leaders meet in Munich to assess the one-year long war in Ukraine, Ukrainian soldiers fighting to resist a Russian attack on the small eastern city of Bakhmut asking for more weapons.

War in Ukraine: Ukrainian troops seek more weapons as they resist Russian attack

Russia has begun a new offense in the Eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. Ukrainian military are now bracing for new ground attacks. As the anniversary of invasion of Ukraine nears, Russian forces pounded the city of Bakhmut on Monday.

War in Ukraine: NATO looks at new start of offence in Bakhmut

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

In an interview&nbsp;on Friday (February 10), the head of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, spoke about how Russian forces must capture the strategic Ukrainian city of Bakhmut to proceed with their “special military operation” in the country. However, he added, they were facing fierce resistance from Ukrainian troops in the region. The interview was taken by a Russian military blogger,&nbsp;Semyon Pegov,&nbsp;and later made public.&nbsp;As per media reports, Prigozhin also said that Moscow needs to establish clear goals as the conflict approaches the one-year mark.&nbsp;

During the interview,&nbsp;Prigozhin said that Russia&nbsp;could take at least two years to control Ukraine's eastern region, whose capture Moscow has stated as a key goal of the conflict. The Wagner founder group also spoke about how, as per his understanding of Moscow's&nbsp;plan, it needed to fully control the Donetsk and Luhansk regions which it previously claimed as "republics" of Russia, a move which drew widespread condemnation.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-missiles-hit-ukraines-power-facilities-escalates-offensive-in-east-560819">Russian missiles hit Ukraine's power facilities, as offensive escalates in east</a> 
 
"As far as I understand, we need to close off the Donetsk and Luhansk republics and in principle that will suit everyone for now," said&nbsp;Prigozhin, as per Reuters, citing the video of the interview posted by&nbsp;Pegov, on Friday. The Wagner chief also said it could take one and a half to two years and if Russia wants to capture the eastern Ukrainian city of&nbsp;Dnipro then it would take about three years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Additionally, the Wagner chief said that one of those goals could be to firmly establish its presence in eastern Ukraine or push forward to capture more of the country and that Bakhmut was the key to those plans. “Bakhmut is needed so our troops can operate comfortably”, said Prigozhin. He added, “Why is it called the meat grinder? Because the Ukrainian army is sending more and more and more units.”&nbsp;

The Wagner group has recently garnered significant attention and has reportedly been playing an increasingly prominent role in the Russian invasion of Ukraine as it captured the town of Soledar.&nbsp;&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-wagner-group-defector-opens-up-557692">Gravitas: Wagner Group Defector Opens Up</a> 
 
“First we have to quietly take Artyomovsk (Bakhmut) and then we can say loud and clear that we have taken it,”&nbsp;he said, referring to Bakhmut by its Soviet-era name which is still used in Russia. 
 
According to Prigozhin, it is too early to say if they are close to capturing Bakhmut which he has attributed to many roads out of the city but fewer roads in. He added, “Ukrainian troops are well trained...and like any large city it is impossible to capture it from head-on. We are managing very well,” as per Reuters.&nbsp;

He also compared the fight to capture Soledar, undertaken after failures in taking Bakhmut, to the six-month battles that the Soviet Army needed to secure Stalingrad (the present-day Russian city of Volgograd) during World War II. This comes after Prigozhin repeatedly criticised the Russian army and Kremlin commanders for their failures in the offensive against Ukraine and maintained that the battle for Soledar was exclusively waged by his Wagner forces.&nbsp;

However, during the recent interview, he reportedly&nbsp;refrained from&nbsp;further attacks on Russia's military leadership but said that it is important that the top command understands the situation of the men&nbsp;on the front lines. "So if a general goes into a trench and talks to the soldiers, then the soldiers frankly in the current situation will be just fucking amazed and very pleased. That will be enough for them to understand they’re not sitting alone there with their problems,"&nbsp;he said.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russians-seize-eastern-soledar-town-as-ukrainian-forces-retreat-555946">Ukraine pulls back from eastern Soledar town after months-long battle against Russians</a> 
 
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom’s ministry of defence has speculated that the Wagner forces have advanced at least 2-3 km around northern Bakhmut since Tuesday after months of deadlock on the front lines. The ministry also spoke about how this could threaten the main western access road to Bakhmut, however, the Ukrainian military analyst has previously said that the supplies were still getting through.&nbsp;

In a separate interview, military analyst Oleh Zhdanov said that the situation around Bakhmut remains one of the most difficult sectors for the Ukrainian forces as Russia continues to deploy its conscripts. “The area south of Bakhmut is a very difficult sector…And the city itself remains the hottest spot on the front at this time,” said Zhdanov.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. In an interview on Friday (February 10), the head of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, spoke about how Russian forces must capture the strategic Ukrainian city of Bakhmut to proceed with their “special military operation” in the country. However, he added, they were facing fierce resistance from Ukrainian troops in the region. The interview was taken by a Russian military blogger, Semyon Pegov, and later made public. As per media reports, Prigozhin also said that Moscow needs to establish clear goals as the conflict approaches the one-year mark. During the interview, Prigozhin said that Russia could take at least two years to control Ukraine's eastern region, whose capture Moscow has stated as a key goal of the conflict. The Wagner founder group also spoke about how, as per his understanding of Moscow's plan, it needed to fully control the Donetsk and Luhansk regions which it previously claimed as "republics" of Russia, a move which drew widespread condemnation. ALSO READ | Russian missiles hit Ukraine's power facilities, as offensive escalates in east "As far as I understand, we need to close off the Donetsk and Luhansk republics and in principle that will suit everyone for now," said Prigozhin, as per Reuters, citing the video of the interview posted by Pegov, on Friday. The Wagner chief also said it could take one and a half to two years and if Russia wants to capture the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro then it would take about three years. Additionally, the Wagner chief said that one of those goals could be to firmly establish its presence in eastern Ukraine or push forward to capture more of the country and that Bakhmut was the key to those plans. “Bakhmut is needed so our troops can operate comfortably”, said Prigozhin. He added, “Why is it called the meat grinder? Because the Ukrainian army is sending more and more and more units.” The Wagner group has recently garnered significant attention and has reportedly been playing an increasingly prominent role in the Russian invasion of Ukraine as it captured the town of Soledar. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: Wagner Group Defector Opens Up “First we have to quietly take Artyomovsk (Bakhmut) and then we can say loud and clear that we have taken it,” he said, referring to Bakhmut by its Soviet-era name which is still used in Russia. According to Prigozhin, it is too early to say if they are close to capturing Bakhmut which he has attributed to many roads out of the city but fewer roads in. He added, “Ukrainian troops are well trained...and like any large city it is impossible to capture it from head-on. We are managing very well,” as per Reuters. He also compared the fight to capture Soledar, undertaken after failures in taking Bakhmut, to the six-month battles that the Soviet Army needed to secure Stalingrad (the present-day Russian city of Volgograd) during World War II. This comes after Prigozhin repeatedly criticised the Russian army and Kremlin commanders for their failures in the offensive against Ukraine and maintained that the battle for Soledar was exclusively waged by his Wagner forces. However, during the recent interview, he reportedly refrained from further attacks on Russia's military leadership but said that it is important that the top command understands the situation of the men on the front lines. "So if a general goes into a trench and talks to the soldiers, then the soldiers frankly in the current situation will be just fucking amazed and very pleased. That will be enough for them to understand they’re not sitting alone there with their problems," he said. ALSO READ | Ukraine pulls back from eastern Soledar town after months-long battle against Russians Meanwhile, the United Kingdom’s ministry of defence has speculated that the Wagner forces have advanced at least 2-3 km around northern Bakhmut since Tuesday after months of deadlock on the front lines. The ministry also spoke about how this could threaten the main western access road to Bakhmut, however, the Ukrainian military analyst has previously said that the supplies were still getting through. In a separate interview, military analyst Oleh Zhdanov said that the situation around Bakhmut remains one of the most difficult sectors for the Ukrainian forces as Russia continues to deploy its conscripts. “The area south of Bakhmut is a very difficult sector…And the city itself remains the hottest spot on the front at this time,” said Zhdanov. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Mercenary group Wagner chief says Moscow could take two years to capture eastern Ukrainian regions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that Ukraine will fight to hold the 'fortress' city of Bakhmut for as long as it could. Bakhmut is a city located in eastern Ukraine. Zelensky urged the West to supply long-range weapons to Ukraine to help it push Russia out of Donbas.

"Nobody will give away Bakhmut. We will fight for as long as we can. We consider Bakhmut our fortress," Zelenskiy told a news conference with top European Union officials following a summit in Kyiv.

"If weapons (supplies) are quickened, specifically long range weapons, we not only will not leave Bakhmut, but we will also begin to de-occupy Donbas, which has been occupied since 2014," he said.

The city of Bakhmut has become the focal point of Ukrainian resistance to Russia's invasion and of Moscow’s drive to regain battlefield momentum.

Russian officials have said Russian forces are encircling Bakhmut from several directions and battling to take control of a road which is also an important supply route for Ukrainian forces.

Zelensky said Russia would continue to push in the east but that Ukrainian forces would be able to hold out until more Western weapons arrived.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year. After sustained territorial gains in the initial months of the conflict, Russian forces have had to retreat from many regions in the face of Ukrainian counterattack.

The head of the EU's executive Commission and the chairman of the 27 EU national leaders have travelled to Kyiv to demonstrate support for Ukraine as the first anniversary of Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of its neighbour approaches.

Zelenskiy, flanked by the EU leaders at a news conference, said European sanctions should aim to ensure Russia cannot rebuild its military capability. And he had a defiant message on Bakhmut, the focal point of Ukrainian resistance to Russia's invasion and of Moscow’s drive to regain battlefield momentum.

NO EU FAST TRACK

Zelenskiy has called for more punitive EU sanctions against Russia, though new measures the bloc is preparing for the anniversary of the invasion are set to fall short of his government's demands.

Ukraine applied to join the EU days after Russia invaded last year. The EU has embraced the application, although it has rebuffed Ukraine's calls for a fast track to membership while the country is at war.

"The EU will support Ukraine and the Ukrainian people against Russia's ongoing war of aggression for as long as it takes," the EU leaders were expected to say a joint statement, a draft of which was seen by Reuters in advance.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that Ukraine will fight to hold the 'fortress' city of Bakhmut for as long as it could. Bakhmut is a city located in eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that Ukraine will fight to hold the 'fortress' city of Bakhmut for as long as it could. Bakhmut is a city located in eastern Ukraine. Zelensky urged the West to supply long-range weapons to Ukraine to help it push Russia out of Donbas. "Nobody will give away Bakhmut. We will fight for as long as we can. We consider Bakhmut our fortress," Zelenskiy told a news conference with top European Union officials following a summit in Kyiv. "If weapons (supplies) are quickened, specifically long range weapons, we not only will not leave Bakhmut, but we will also begin to de-occupy Donbas, which has been occupied since 2014," he said. The city of Bakhmut has become the focal point of Ukrainian resistance to Russia's invasion and of Moscow’s drive to regain battlefield momentum. Russian officials have said Russian forces are encircling Bakhmut from several directions and battling to take control of a road which is also an important supply route for Ukrainian forces. Zelensky said Russia would continue to push in the east but that Ukrainian forces would be able to hold out until more Western weapons arrived. Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year. After sustained territorial gains in the initial months of the conflict, Russian forces have had to retreat from many regions in the face of Ukrainian counterattack. The head of the EU's executive Commission and the chairman of the 27 EU national leaders have travelled to Kyiv to demonstrate support for Ukraine as the first anniversary of Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of its neighbour approaches. Zelenskiy, flanked by the EU leaders at a news conference, said European sanctions should aim to ensure Russia cannot rebuild its military capability. And he had a defiant message on Bakhmut, the focal point of Ukrainian resistance to Russia's invasion and of Moscow’s drive to regain battlefield momentum. NO EU FAST TRACK Zelenskiy has called for more punitive EU sanctions against Russia, though new measures the bloc is preparing for the anniversary of the invasion are set to fall short of his government's demands. Ukraine applied to join the EU days after Russia invaded last year. The EU has embraced the application, although it has rebuffed Ukraine's calls for a fast track to membership while the country is at war. "The EU will support Ukraine and the Ukrainian people against Russia's ongoing war of aggression for as long as it takes," the EU leaders were expected to say a joint statement, a draft of which was seen by Reuters in advance. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Will not give away ‘fortress’ Bakhmut, fight as long as we can: Ukraine President Zelensky

Russia has claimed to have taken control of a village, which is north of the eastern Ukrainian town of Bakhmut&nbsp;where both nation’s forces are currently engaged in a heavy battle.&nbsp;

Blagodatne village is located near the salt-mining town of Soledar, which was recently captured by the Russian forces.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, the Russian defence ministry said that "as a result of successful offensive actions" its forces "liberated the settlement of Blagodatne of the Donetsk People's Republic," using Moscow's term for the eastern Donetsk region, reports AFP news agency.&nbsp;

On Saturday, the Russian mercenary Wagner Group said its forces had taken control of Blahodatne, but Kyiv said it had repelled an attack on the village.&nbsp;

Bakhmut has emerged as the latest flashpoint of the Russia-Ukraine battle as Moscow looks to gain control of the prized Donbas region.&nbsp;

Since the invasion, Russia has been eyeing control of the Donbas region, where the separatists backed by Moscow have been fighting the Ukrainian government since 2014.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Russia has already taken control of most of Luhansk, while about half of Donetsk remains under Ukraine’s control.&nbsp;

<h2>Gravitas: Zelensky calls for Russia to be banned from Paris Olympics</h2>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-zelensky-calls-for-russia-to-be-banned-from-paris-olympics-557417/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Meanwhile, UK’s Ministry of Defence said that Russian forces are advancing on the towns of Vuhledar and Pavlivka in&nbsp;western Donetsk&nbsp;but are “unlikely” to secure a breakthrough.&nbsp;

<h2 lang="EN-US" paraeid="{1808116a-884a-419d-bb01-7b9964ef1f56}{38}" paraid="1466215793" >Putin for military training entre with Belrus&nbsp;</h2>

On Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin extended his support for a plan to set up joint military training centres with Belarus, amidst speculations that Minsk could enter the&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;conflict.&nbsp;

In a decree, Putin tasked the defence and foreign ministers to conduct talks with Belarus and sign an agreement to establish the facilities.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The document did not specify where they would be based, reports AFP.&nbsp;

Minsk allowed Moscow to use Belarusian territory as a launching pad for its&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;offensive that began on February 24 last year.&nbsp;

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has insisted that he will not send Belarusian troops into&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;despite increasing military cooperation with&nbsp;Russia.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE: 

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Russia has claimed to have taken control of a village, which is north of the eastern Ukrainian town of Bakhmut where both nation’s forces are currently engaged in a heavy battle.

Russia has claimed to have taken control of a village, which is north of the eastern Ukrainian town of Bakhmut where both nation’s forces are currently engaged in a heavy battle. Blagodatne village is located near the salt-mining town of Soledar, which was recently captured by the Russian forces. On Tuesday, the Russian defence ministry said that "as a result of successful offensive actions" its forces "liberated the settlement of Blagodatne of the Donetsk People's Republic," using Moscow's term for the eastern Donetsk region, reports AFP news agency. On Saturday, the Russian mercenary Wagner Group said its forces had taken control of Blahodatne, but Kyiv said it had repelled an attack on the village. Bakhmut has emerged as the latest flashpoint of the Russia-Ukraine battle as Moscow looks to gain control of the prized Donbas region. Since the invasion, Russia has been eyeing control of the Donbas region, where the separatists backed by Moscow have been fighting the Ukrainian government since 2014. Russia has already taken control of most of Luhansk, while about half of Donetsk remains under Ukraine’s control. Gravitas: Zelensky calls for Russia to be banned from Paris Olympics Meanwhile, UK’s Ministry of Defence said that Russian forces are advancing on the towns of Vuhledar and Pavlivka in western Donetsk but are “unlikely” to secure a breakthrough. Putin for military training entre with Belrus On Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin extended his support for a plan to set up joint military training centres with Belarus, amidst speculations that Minsk could enter the Ukraine conflict. In a decree, Putin tasked the defence and foreign ministers to conduct talks with Belarus and sign an agreement to establish the facilities. The document did not specify where they would be based, reports AFP. Minsk allowed Moscow to use Belarusian territory as a launching pad for its Ukraine offensive that began on February 24 last year. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has insisted that he will not send Belarusian troops into Ukraine despite increasing military cooperation with Russia. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Russia claims to have seized village near Ukraine’s eastern Bakhmut town  

bakhmut

Bakhmut, News on Bakhmut, stories on Bakhmut, articles on Bakhmut, Bakhmut stories at Wion, Bakhmut news, Bakhmut latest news