Battle for Bakhmut will be lost by one who deploys last reserve – Ukrainian Armed Forces officer Lapin

He said this on the air of the Espreso TV channel.

"The Armed Forces of Ukraine have partial success in the Bakhmut direction. Ukrainian defenders have repelled the Russian soldiers from the road to Kostyantynivka. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are now using the road to Chasiv Yar. The deployment of the special operations forces for urban combat in Bakhmut may partially improve the situation. The reason is that they are trained to work in urban areas, in small groups. Of course, artillery should provide cover," explained Lapin.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces officer is convinced that the battle for Bakhmut will be lost by the one who deploys the last reserve.

"The General Staff of Ukraine understands this. There is no need to panic, but the threat of losing Bakhmut is also being considered. There are heights on the Donets ridge behind Bakhmut where our reserve positions were being prepared. If these heights do not allow the Russian forces to use the urban agglomeration and turn towards Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, then I believe that everything is under control," Lapin emphasized.

• On March 9, the deputy commander of the 3rd separate assault brigade, Major Rodion Kudryashov, emphasized that Bakhmut is currently under the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

• Ground Forces Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi emphasized the importance of defending Bakhmut in the Donetsk region: it allows to gain time for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.