He said this on the air of the Espreso TV channel.
"The Russians have suffered too many defeats in recent months. They lost the battle in Kharkiv region, Kherson region. They need at least some kind of rehabilitation, they need revenge. At least somewhere they have to show that they can advance. Bakhmut was chosen by the invaders precisely for these reasons. All combat-ready parts of the Russian army are now thrown at Bakhmut. There are many battles, shelling, assaults, but the Ukrainian defense is strong. We are defeating the enemy, the enemy will suffer heavy losses," Illenko emphasized.
According to him, Ukrainian positions are firmly holding the defense in the Bakhmut direction, and this is a difficult, exhausting and hellish job.
"The Ukrainian fortress of Bakhmut is standing strong, there is no threat from the surrounding area. This battle has been going on for several months, and the last weeks are the culmination of this battle," Illenko emphasized.