The Ukrainian army has reached a “consensus” on “continuing the defense” of Bakhmut, the epicenter of hostilities in the east of the country, despite the risk of being surrounded by Russian troops, an adviser to the president of Ukraine told AFP on Monday.

“There is a consensus in the army on the need to continue the defense of the city and exhaust the enemy’s forces, while simultaneously building new lines of defense, if the situation changes,” Mykhailo Podolyak said, denying the Ukrainians’ withdrawal from the city.

According to him, “the defense of Bakhmut achieved its goals”, exhausting the Russian forces, giving the Ukrainian army time to prepare “tens of thousands of soldiers to prepare a counteroffensive”.

“Even if the military leadership at some point decides to withdraw to more advantageous positions, the defense of Bakhmut will be a great strategic success,” Podolyak said.

At the same time, he stated that no decision has yet been made regarding the possible withdrawal of Ukraine.

On the contrary, the Ukrainian command announced on Monday its intention to “strengthen” its positions in Bakhmut, where both sides have suffered heavy losses in recent months.

In recent weeks, Russian forces have advanced north and south of the city, cutting off three of four Ukrainian supply routes and leaving only the one further west to Chasiv Yar as an exit route.

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