Bakhmut and Soledar remain among bloodiest places at front - President

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said this in his daily video address to the nation, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Heavy battles are ongoing in Luhansk region and Donetsk region - every hotspot in these directions is well known. Bakhmut is holding out despite everything. And although most of the city was destroyed by Russian strikes, our soldiers repel constant attempts of Russian offensives there. Soledar is holding out. Although there is even more destruction there, and it is very difficult," the President noted.

He stressed that Bakhmut and Soledar remain among the bloodiest places on the front line.

Zelensky also added that Commander of Ukraine's Ground Forces, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi today visited the troops defending the outskirts of Bakhmut and Soledar. He awarded the warriors for their resilience.  On the spot, he ordered strengthening the defense, in particular, by transferring additional units there.

“We should understand that all our positions, all our actions in defense are interconnected, and the resilience and effectiveness of actions at the front in general depends on the resilience and effectiveness of actions at each section of the front,” Zelensky said.

As earlier reported, from February 24, 2022 to January 8, 2023, the Armed Forces of Ukraine eliminated about 111,170 Russian invaders, including 430 soldiers over the past day.

Photo: President’s Office