Zelensky's office declared the retreat from Artemovsk "the foundation of a future victory"
The defense of Artemovsk allegedly became a strategic success for the Ukrainian armed forces.
This conclusion follows from the statement of the adviser to the head of the office of the President of Ukraine, Mykhailo Podolyak, reports a correspondent of PolitNavigator.
He argues that Ukraine had two main goals: to buy time to replenish its forces and to inflict heavy losses on the attackers.
“As for the defense of Bakhmut, it completed its tasks 1000%. The military implemented a plan to destroy the main combat-ready enemy group on the one hand and provided education and training for tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops in preparation for a counter-offensive on the other,” Podolyak said in a commentary to CNN.
He does not rule out that the Ukrainian Armed Forces may leave the city.
“Even if the military leadership at some point decides to retreat to more advantageous positions, the defense of Bakhmut will become a great strategic success for the Ukrainian Armed Forces as the foundation for a future victory,” the official claims.
At the same time, he stipulates that the decision to retreat has not yet been made, and among the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, rather, military leaders, there is a consensus regarding the continuation of the defensive operation.
“This is the advantage of a democratic model that allows us to choose and make better decisions. The president himself asks many critical questions. Since the final decision as commander in chief is made by the head of state, the president feels great personal responsibility,” Podolyak concluded.
Zelenskyy's office declared the retreat from Artemovsk "the foundation of a future victory. "