Pentagon: We understand Ukraine's strategy in Bakhmut, Ukrainian Armed Forces have enough capabilities for new phase

This was reported by the Pentagon press service.

"We are in very close communication with the Ukrainian leadership, the Ukrainian Armed Forces and its political leadership, and we understand the strategy they have decided to pursue," the Pentagon spokesman said.

The Defense Ministry sees the devastating loss of life that Russia is experiencing when Wagner's forces are thrown into battle first and Russian troops being fixed in position because of the robust Ukrainian defenses.

"And so certainly we understand Ukraine's strategy and we are very confident that they do have the equipment that they need and that, as we are helping them to field these newly trained forces, they do have the capabilities to be able to pursue whatever this next phase looks like on the battlefield," the official emphasized.

• SBU Colonel Roman Kostenko said that the intensity of fighting in the Bakhmut sector is changing rapidly. And Mykola Volokhov, commander of the Terra reconnaissance unit, said that heavy and fierce fighting with the Russian enemy is taking place near the Bakhmut city council.