Artemovsk, known in Ukraine by its pre-Soviet name Bakhmut, has been the center of hostilities in Donbass for months. The city is an important transport hub with many crossroads, which previously served as a vital center for supplying pro-Kiev militants in the region.However, many Ukrainian strategists have started to think that it is virtually impossible to hold Artemovsk and that it is probably not worth the effort from the military standpoint. German media recently reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny have "fundamentally different views" on the matter.While the seasoned general believes it is better to abandon Artemovsk for good, the Ukrainian president has other ideas and commands him to hold the town - no matter the costs. As political analysts have previously told Sputnik, the reason behind this stubbornness may be the necessity to prove to Western countries and especially the US that their military assistance is not in vain. For the sake of illusive foreign policy prestige, Kiev is happy with the fact that Ukrainian militants are using civilians as human shields, holding innocent people hostage. Particularly, in Artemovsk Kiev's Armed Forces deploy heavy equipment in residential areas and even intentionally open friendly fire to defame Russia. Follow Sputnik's gallery to learn more!
Artemovsk has become a meat grinder for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which are sustaining heavy losses and sacrificing civilian lives.
Artemovsk, known in Ukraine by its pre-Soviet name Bakhmut, has been the center of hostilities in Donbass for months. The city is an important transport hub with many crossroads, which previously served as a vital center for supplying pro-Kiev militants in the region.
However, many Ukrainian strategists have started to think that it is virtually impossible to hold Artemovsk and that it is probably not worth the effort from the military standpoint.
German media recently reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny have "fundamentally different views" on the matter.
While the seasoned general believes it is better to abandon Artemovsk for good, the Ukrainian president has other ideas and commands him to hold the town - no matter the costs. As political analysts have previously told Sputnik, the reason behind this stubbornness may be the necessity to prove to Western countries and especially the US that their military assistance is not in vain.
For the sake of illusive foreign policy prestige, Kiev is happy with the fact that Ukrainian militants are using civilians as human shields, holding innocent people hostage. Particularly, in Artemovsk Kiev's Armed Forces deploy heavy equipment in residential areas and even intentionally open friendly fire to defame Russia.
Amnesty International released a report last August alleging that Ukrainian forces were violating military law by placing weapons in schools and hospitals in cities
Human rights groups reported cases in which Ukrainian troops launched strikes from residential areas and deployed weapons at civil infrastructure facilities.
Scorched earth is known since the dawn of warfare. It means the destruction of any infrastructure (for instance, bridges) that may be used by one's opponent.
Civilian buildings also serve their cause. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Ukrainian neo-Nazi units used heavy Grad artillery to strike residential areas and a school
The Wagner private military group has reportedly already surrounded Artemovsk.
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