The losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) during the defense of Artemivsk (Ukrainian name – Bakhmut) could amount to tens of thousands of people. He told the newspaper “News” military expert Vasily Dandykin.
“In Artemovsk they lost several dozen people, a large amount of equipment. Ukrainian authorities are already preparing the population. President during his visit to Poland [Владимир Зеленский] “They said they would withdraw their forces if there was a threat of siege,” he said.
The specialist admitted that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be withdrawn to Chasov Yar, since they have no other ways.
At the same time, Dandykin refrained from guessing whether the Ukrainian army could continue to defend Artemivsk.
The previous day, Denis Pushilin, Deputy President of the Donetsk People’s Republic declarationMore than 75% of Artemovsk is under the control of Russian forces.
On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he had decided to organize a military special operation to protect Donbass, in response to a request for assistance from the heads of the LPR and DPR.