It should be noted that at the meeting of the headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the commander of the strategic-operational troop group “Khortitsa” Alexander Syrsky supported further strengthening of positions in Artemovsk.
Zelensky’s office made such a message against the background of publications in the Western media that the situation around the defense of Artemivsk caused strong contradictions between Zelensky and Zaluzhny: the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine recommended withdrawing for tactical reasons a few few weeks ago, but the president spoke in favor of preserving the city.
At the same time, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin noted that Artemovsk had more symbolic than strategic significance.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces in Artemovsk are surrounded and suffer heavy losses. The DPR stated that the 10,000-strong Ukrainian garrison fell into a classic cauldron. At the same time, there were reports that the Ukrainian army was moving soldiers and equipment here, trying to strengthen positions, blowing up infrastructure and bridges around the city to slow the advancing Russian units.