The situation around Bakhmut remains difficult, but Ukrainian forces are repelling all attempts by Russia to seize the city, the commander of Ukraine’s ground forces, Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi, said on Monday, Reuters reports.

The Bakhmutka River in the city of Bakhmut, a major obstacle for the Moscow troopsPhoto: AA/ABACA / Abaca Press / Profimedia

“The situation around Bakhmut remains difficult,” Syrskyi said on the Telegram channel of the Military Media Center of Ukraine.

“All the enemy’s attempts to capture the city are repelled by artillery, tanks and other firepower,” said Sirskyi.

Syrskyi added that Wagner’s group of Russian mercenaries “is attacking from several directions, trying to break through the defenses of our troops and advance towards the central areas of the city.”

Reuters could not independently verify the information.