Russian defense minister outlines importance of Artyomovsk

Residential buildings destroyed as a result of shelling in Artyomovsk/bakhmut
©RIA Novosti

Russia continues its efforts to take control of Artyomovsk –known in Ukraine as Bakhmut– Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu announced on Tuesday, noting that the city is an important defense hub for Kiev’s forces in Donbass.

“Taking (Artyomovsk) under control will allow further offensive actions deep into the defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” he explained.

Artyomovsk has seen some of the most brutal fighting amid Russia’s ongoing military campaign in Ukraine. As well as being a stronghold for Ukraine’s forces, the city is part of a 70-kilometer line of defense created by Kiev since it initiated the fighting in Donbass in 2014.

In a months-long campaign, Russian forces have systematically captured settlements around the city and have been surrounding Artyomovsk from the north, south, and east.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, meanwhile, has repeatedly insisted that he would not surrender the city, despite his Western backers and military advisers reportedly urging him to cut his losses and withdraw.

The anti-drone gun "Harpy" was successfully tested near Donetsk on one of the most common copters in the special operation zone - DJI Mavic Pro. This enemy drone is used as a strike drone - with a warhead.

Shoigu also reported on Tuesday that Russian forces have liberated the settlements of Nikolaevka, Dvurechnoe, Krasnaya Gora, Gryanikovka and Paraskovievka, and stated that the “American strategy of ‘breaking Russia by force of arms’” had failed.

“Western countries are increasing the supply of weapons and military equipment to Ukraine, expanding training programs for Ukrainian army personnel,” said Shoigu. “At the same time, the support of the Kiev regime by NATO countries is not leading to the success of Ukrainian troops on the battlefield,” he added, noting that Kiev’s losses have significantly increased.

According to the minister, in February alone the casualties suffered by Ukraine's armed forces increased by more than 40% compared to January and amounted to over 11,000 servicemen.

“In this regard, the Kiev regime’s indifference towards its people is surprising” Shoigu noted, adding that Kiev doesn’t seem to care how many people die for the benefit of its Western backers.

Russia’s priority, on the other hand, remains the preservation of the life and health of personnel and civilians, the minister stressed.

Special operation, March 6th. Main:

▪️The FSB prevented an assassination attempt on the founder of the Tsargrad TV channel Malofeev. According to the agency, the attack was planned to be carried out by detonating an improvised explosive device attached under the businessman's car - in a similar way to the murder of Dugina;

▪️The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Zakharova, said that the failed assassination attempt on Malofeev is another example of the deeply criminal nature of the Kyiv regime, which does not disdain terrorist methods;

▪️In the Donetsk, South-Donetsk, Zaporozhye, Kupyansky and Krasnolimansky and Kherson directions, Kyiv’s losses per day amounted to 490 military killed and wounded, the Russian Defense Ministry reported;

▪️Shoigu checked the work on restoring the infrastructure of Donbass, including in Mariupol, praising the work of the Military Construction Complex, the Russian Defense Ministry reported;

▪️Peskov said that no decisions have yet been made on the possible unification of new regions of the Russian Federation into one federal district, various options are being discussed;

▪️He noted that all the necessary qualifications for an emergency in the Bryansk region have already been given, measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future;

▪️Prigozhin said that the Ukrainian military created groups around Artemivsk in order to block the Wagner group. According to him, Kyiv created one grouping in Slavyansk, the second - in Seversk (from two brigades) and one grouping each in Chasov Yar and Konstantinovka.

Russian paratroopers destroyed a Ukrainian reconnaissance drone "Leleka-100" in the LPR. About this, as well as about his work, RIA Novosti was told by a senior anti-aircraft gunner with the call sign "Milaga".

The main thing from Lukashenka's statements about sabotage against the A-50 aircraft near Minsk:

▪️A terrorist recruited by the Ukrainian special services was detained, as well as more than 20 "accomplices" in the attack on the plane.

Representatives of the Belarusian opposition helped the saboteur - in this regard, Lukashenka said that the country would be entrusted with a "cruel cleansing" of those who harbor terrorist plans.

The attack was carried out with a Chinese-made "small drone" that was sold to the United States.

▪️After the incident with the A-50, "hundreds, maybe thousands" of security forces were raised to prevent the Ukrainian saboteur from entering Russia.

▪️The plane itself was almost not damaged as a result of the sabotage - "scratches and one hole." But Lukashenka asked Russia to take him for service and send another one in return.

▪️Ukraine wants to draw Belarus into the war at the command of the United States, Lukashenka believes. The Belarusian president called Zelensky a "nit" - he proposes a "non-aggression pact", and at the same time coordinates sabotage on the territory of Belarus.