In the ongoing fierce battle on the outskirts of Bakhmut, a town captured by Russia in May, Ukrainian commanders are crediting heavy weapons supplied by Western allies for inflicting a significant toll on the enemy forces, according to reports from Reuters.
Following the recent capture of the strategic village of Klishchiivka, Ukrainian troops are lauding the 155-millimeter howitzers as crucial equipment provided by the United States and NATO nations.
Unit commander Oleksandr emphasized the vital role that heavy artillery plays in Ukraine’s armed forces, including the Polish-made Krab gun and the U.S.-made M109 self-propelled howitzer.
He stated that even a single artillery piece can drastically alter the course of a battle, capable of halting enemy advances.
Oleksandr added, “The key is precision targeting. Our intercepted communications suggest that the Russians resent our hardware and are bewildered by the amount of ammunition we possess.”
Klishchiivka, located on the high ground to the south of the war-torn Bakhmut, has been described by Oleksandr, aged 30, as a critical point that Russian forces were determined to hold onto.
He expressed optimism about the future, saying, “We will see what comes next. We will build on our successes.”
Ukrainian commanders view the capture of Klishchiivka and the nearby village of Andriivka as stepping stones toward reclaiming Bakhmut, which had fallen to Russian forces after months of intense fighting.
These gains mark some of the most significant achievements in Ukraine’s counteroffensive, which commenced in June and has faced challenges in breaching well-fortified Russian positions.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and senior officials have celebrated these advances, dismissing Western criticisms regarding the perceived sluggish pace of the counteroffensive.
The reliance on heavy weapons from Western allies, coupled with the determination of Ukrainian troops, continues to shape the evolving dynamics of the conflict on the outskirts of Bakhmut.
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