Ukraine at OSCE: Bakhmut “trap” for Russian invaders

Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine to International Organizations in Vienna Natalia Kostenko spoke of this during the Security Cooperation Forum on Wednesday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

She noted that the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to conduct an offensive operation in the area of Bakhmut, advancing from the flanks, running counterattacks and strengthening their tactical positions. In the process of the offensive, Ukrainian troops took control of the main dominant heights around Bakhmut, which allows for effective monitoring of enemy movements across the city. Bakhmut, which was an object of excitement for Russian propaganda, became a trap for invaders, she explained.

Kostenko emphasized that in the battle of Bakhmut, the Russian troops suffered the greatest losses since the outset of the war. Still, the Russians never achieved its goal in Bakhmut and, moreover, will eventually be forced to retreat, the diplomat added.

She pointed out that the Ukrainian forces seized the initiative on the battlefield and are gradually regaining the territories previously captured by the occupiers in the southern and eastern regions. In general, since the launch of the counteroffensive, Ukraine has already liberated more than 210 kilometers of territory previously captured by the Russian army.

The complete liberation of all temporarily occupied territories remains Ukraine's top priority, Kostenko stressed, noting that in order to achieve this goal, Ukraine will use all available tools in full compliance with its right to self-defense in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, the British mission to the OSCE said Russia had lost about 60,000 personnel killed and wounded in the Bakhmut area, advancing only 29 kilometers – that’s one KIA or WIA for every 48 centimeters captured.

Photo: Kostiantyn Liberov