Ukrainian special forces have launched a series of night raids near the Russian front line, aiming to reclaim the strategic city of Bakhmut from separatist rebels.
The city, formerly known as Artemivsk, fell to the rebels in 2014 after a bloody battle that left hundreds dead and thousands displaced. It is now a key transit point for Russian supplies and troops to the separatist-held regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.
According to a report by MSN, Ukrainian forces have been conducting covert operations on the outskirts of Bakhmut, using mortars, drones and snipers to target rebel positions and disrupt their movements.
“We are here to liberate our land,” said one Ukrainian soldier, who gave his name as Sasha. “We are not afraid of them. We know their tactics and their weaknesses.”
The raids have intensified in recent weeks, as tensions between Ukraine and Russia have escalated over a massive buildup of Russian troops and weapons along their shared border. The U.S. and its allies have expressed alarm over the possibility of a full-scale invasion by Moscow, which denies any aggressive intentions.
“We are closely monitoring the situation,” said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement on Friday. “We stand with Ukraine in its efforts to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to retake Bakhmut and other occupied territories by peaceful means, but has also said he is ready to use force if necessary. He has appealed for more support from the West, including lethal weapons and sanctions against Russia.
“We are not looking for war, but we are ready to fight for our independence,” Zelensky said in an interview with CNN last month. “We need more than words. We need actions.”
