Russia deploying all combat forces to Bakhmut, fierce fighting continues

He shared the information on Espreso TV.

"The situation in the Bakhmut direction has not changed in a long time, heavy fighting continues there. The battle for Bakhmut has been going on since mid-summer, all this time the enemy has been trying to either surround the town or storm it, but in fact has no success. The enemy is throwing large forces here, probably everything combat-ready that it has now, what is left," noted Ilienko.

According to him, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are holding their positions in the Bakhmut direction.

"The town is under Ukrainian control. The outskirts and flanks are partially occupied. But it has not been encircled or captured. The enemy's losses are measured in hundreds of dead and seriously injured per day, even for Russia these losses are too significant," Ilienko stressed.

• On January 2, 2023, Ukrainian border guards took 2 heavy battles on the outskirts of Bakhmut and in the town itself. A group of about 30 Russian soldiers tried to storm the Ukrainian stronghold. The assault was repelled. According to preliminary data, 7 Russian soldiers were killed and 9 injured. Ukrainian border guards suffered no losses.
• As of the morning of January 3, the AFU General Staff emphasized that Russia, trying to take full control of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, focuses its efforts on launching an offensive in the Bakhmut direction. Also, yesterday, Russian troops fired from tanks, mortars and rocket artillery near Spirne, Berestove, Bilohorivka, Vesele, Yakovlivka, Soledar, Bakhmut and other settlements.
• Russian forces reduced their activity near Bakhmut as the Armed Forces of Ukraine received reinforcements in the area. Russia will not be able to capture Bakhmut in the near future.