Ukraine’s ban for civilians to enter Artemivsk (Bakhmut) is probably a prelude to the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the city, The New York Times (NYT) has reported.
According to the paper, the Ukrainian military has closed the town to volunteers and civilians since 13 February due to “intensified fighting” and the “danger of street fighting”.
“The ban on volunteer access could mean a prelude to the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops, although the Ukrainian military insists it retains control of the city, can resupply troops and can evacuate its wounded,” the paper said.
The US daily The Washington Post in January compared the “battle for Bakhmut” to a decisive moment for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to the newspaper, Kiev extolled the city as a “fortress” and “a symbol of superhuman resistance, which makes even a calculated retreat politically fraught”.
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