Bakhmut - Avdiivka - Marinka - Vuhledar arc escalation considered the beginning of new Russian offensive - military expert Hetman

This was stated during an Espresso TV broadcast.

The military expert commented on the Russian  preparation for a new large-scale offensive in February.

"I wouldn't go as far as the end of February, since, according to fresh insider information from the Donetsk region, the Russians have already received an order to ‘liberate’ Vuhledar and capture Zaporizhizhia by March 1. Therefore, they aim for earlier; we can say this offensive has already begun. The escalation currently taking place on the Bakhmut - Avdiivka - Marinka - Vuhledar arc can be considered the beginning of a new offensive by the Russians," he said. 

Oleksiy Hetman noted that this attack by the enemy will only confirm the Institute for the Study of War statements.

"The enemy will continue using their tactics: artillery shelling, small group actions - such attacks will be ongoing. After our victory we will write the history of this war, and when we write about this February, we will consider February 1 the start of the new Russian offensive, in my opinion," Hetman emphasized.

• On January 31, National Guard of Ukraine Freedom battalion lieutenant, Roman Konon, said that Russian troops are actively advancing in the direction of Bakhmut and are trying to surround the city

• Also, Eastern Group of the Armed Forces spokesman, Serhiy Cherevatyi, said that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are doing everything to prevent the Russians from blocking the Ukrainian military supply route in Bakhmut