Zelensky adviser suggests possible retreat from key city

Russia is encircling the strategically important Artyomovsk, and Kiev’s forces are weighing their options, says Alexander Rodnyansky

Kiev’s forces in the embattled city of Artyomovsk are allegedly considering a strategic retreat, claimed economic advisor to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, Alexander Rodnyansky in an interview with CNN on Tuesday.

In his words, Russia is currently trying to encircle Artyomovsk (called Bakhmut in Ukraine) using the best troops of the Wagner private military company. He told CNN’s Isa Soares that Kiev forces "would retreat" or "strategically give up" the city "if they believed the costs of holding it outweigh the benefits." Rodnyansky added that the Ukrainian military "is obviously going to weigh all the options."

"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," the presidential advisor added, noting that it was up to the military to ultimately decide when and if a withdrawal is required.

Rodnyansky also stated that the region west of the city had been fortified and that if Kiev’s forces pulled out of Artyomovsk, the Russian army wouldn’t be able to advance quickly. "Make no mistake, our counter-offensives will be around the corner soon," he proclaimed.

Artyomovsk is part of a 70km Ukrainian defense line created since Kiev initiated the fighting in Donbass in 2014. Russia claims sovereignty over the city along with the rest of the Donetsk People’s Republic.

In a months-long campaign, Russian forces, primarily Wagner members, have systematically captured settlements around the city and now have Artyomovsk surrounded from the north, south, and east.

CNN on Tuesday also spoke to a Ukrainian soldier that wished to remain anonymous, who described the situation in Artyomovsk as "much worse than officially reported." "We should add another 100% difficulty to the official reports. In all directions. Especially in the northern direction where the [Russians] have made the biggest advance," he said.

Nevertheless, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar stated on Tuesday that more reinforcements are being sent to the strategically vital city. This was confirmed by the head of the Russian ‘Wagner’ Private Military Company, Evgeniy Prigozhin on Wednesday. According to him, Kiev has sent tens of thousands of its best fighters to Artyomovsk. "They are putting up fierce resistance. The bloodshed of the battles is increasing every day," Prigozhin said.

Meanwhile, Kiev’s Western backers reportedly called on Zelensky to cut his losses and withdraw. Zelensky had previously declared that "nobody is going to surrender Bakhmut", but has recently changed his tune after Kiev’s forces suffered significant losses in the city’s defense. Now the president claims that the city will be held "while it remains reasonable" to do so.

(RT.com)