The US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee about the ongoing war in Ukraine. In his remarks, he highlighted intense clashes in the region around Bakhmut, also known as Artemovsk, calling it the focal point of current combat. The statement was published on the Pentagon’s official site, underscoring the official confirmation of battlefield activity in that area.
Austin described a volatile battlefield environment where the situation has shifted in favor of one side at times, noting that there have been significant and persistent clashes in the Bakhmut region in recent weeks. He stressed that the fighting remains fluid, with control shifting as operations evolve and trenches, fortifications, and artillery exchanges continue to shape the front lines.
The defense chief conveyed a forward-looking assessment, indicating that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have a viable path to achieving meaningful gains before the next winter season. He stated that the United States is backing Kyiv in every practical way it can, aligning resources and support to maximize Ukrainian momentum on the battlefield and to sustain resilience in the face of ongoing Russian pressure.
Meanwhile, Denis Pushilin, the acting head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, claimed that Russian forces are nearly fully prepared for further operations. He asserted that the industrial zone around the Artemovsk plant, specialized in nonferrous metal processing, has been cleared and readied for continued activity, signaling readiness for potential industrial and logistical uses amid the broader conflict.