In the ongoing war in Ukraine's east, the fiercest battles are currently taking place in the cities of Bakhmut and Maryinka, according to deputy defence minister Hanna Maylar. She stated that the aggressor, Russia, has been using "Syrian tactics" in their attempt to establish control over Bakhmut, resorting to the total destruction of buildings and structures.
Maylar noted that Putin's troops have made progress in some areas at the expense of destroyed objects, but Ukrainian defenders are carrying out active assault actions and preventing the enemy from taking control of the city. She added that the enemy is constantly storming the suburbs of Bakhmut, while carrying out systematic fire attacks in other directions to restrain the actions of the Ukrainian defence forces.
Russia's activity in Lyman has decreased after they were unable to break through Kyiv's defences, but they have now shifted their focus to Bakhmut. Maylar's comments come amid an escalation in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with both sides exchanging accusations of aggression.
The destruction of civilian infrastructure and displacement of local populations has been a hallmark of the war in Syria, where Russia has been supporting President Bashar al-Assad's regime. The use of similar tactics in Ukraine's east underscores the similarities in the strategies employed by Russia in both conflicts.
The situation in Bakhmut remains tense, with both sides continuing to engage in heavy fighting. The Ukrainian military has accused Russia of sending in troops and equipment to support separatist rebels in the region, a charge that Moscow denies. The conflict has already claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions of people, with no end in sight.