Ukrainian forces control key route towards Bakhmut – National Guard Lt. Nazarenko

Ukrainian forces are holding on to a key route in and out of the Donetsk region’s Bakhmut. 

The relevant statement was made by Svoboda Battalion Deputy Commander, National Guard Lieutenant Volodymyr Nazarenko in a commentary to CNN, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“The Armed Forces of Ukraine are holding the Bakhmut-Kostiantynivka highway, it is fairly stable. Situation around Bakhmut as well as on its outskirts is very much like hell, as it is on the entire eastern front,” Nazarenko told.

In his words, the Bakhmut-Kostiantynivka highway is a crucial route for getting supplies into the city. 

According to Nazarenko, there have been no “tactical changes” on the Ukrainian side, and the Ukrainian military are holding the defense.

“The enemy is searching for weaknesses, trying to distract our forces by fighting, pulling away our reserves, trying to combine different methods and tactics. Yet they fail,” Nazarenko noted.

Nazarenko dismissed the growing speculation of a possible Ukrainian withdrawal from the city.

“There is no withdrawal. On the contrary, some new reserves are coming in as reinforcement to hold the defense. The entire combat area is under chaotic shelling but there is connection with the city, there are routes that are not cut off,” Nazarenko added.