Russian army keeps trying to besiege Bakhmut, launching 13 assaults Apr 27

That’s according to Serhiy Cherevatyi, the spokesman for the Eastern Group of Forces, who spoke at the national telethon, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"In our operational zone, Bakhmut continues to be in the main focus of the enemy's offensive. On this day, the enemy assaulted our positions in this area 13 times and shelled them 243 times, employing various systems and calibers," spokesman said.

According to the official, 113 invaders were eliminated and 117 - wounded. The Ukrainian military also destroyed the Msta-B hhowitzer, four unmanned aerial vehicles, and four ammunition depots in the enemy rear.

Cherevatyi emphasized that the Russian army continues its attempts to besiege Bakhmut.

"Yes, he (the enemy - ed.) is trying to besiege it, they are trying everything out to take the town and achieve an intermediate, at least tactical, victory. And they haven’t been able to do it for months in a row. They are also trying to cut supply routes or at least take full fire control over them but thanks to all the elements of our Defense Forces, they’ve achieved no success, including due to our artillerymen who are engaged in constant counter-battery combat..., our intelligence operatives, specops forces, logisticians, military engineers, and motorists who constantly make their way to this fortress town," he emphasized.

The spokesman recalled that the invaders resort to the "Syria" practice, obliterating the urban area with artillery and warplane fire, after which the enemy tries to seize the ruins, operating in small groups.

At the same time, the enemy is not actually attacking in the Lyman-Kupiansk direction – a single firefight erupted throughout the day. However, the enemy artillery remains active in the area.

"The enemy is in the lead in terms of artillery strikes: 452 strikes and seven air raids this day. Our defense forces, in turn, also deliver powerful blows at the enemy. As a result... 26 occupiers were killed, 66 were wounded, two APCs – BTR-80 and BTR-60 – were damaged. Two mortars and a Rapira anti-tank gun were also destroyed,” spokesman said.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, throughout the day the Defense Forces repelled 35 enemy attacks in the Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Maryinka areas.

Photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine