KIEV (dpa-AFX) – Russian attackers and Ukrainian defenders fought again on Friday in eastern Ukraine. “The heaviest fighting is raging around Bakhmut and Marjinka,” reported the Ukrainian general staff in its daily situation report. On these two front sections alone, almost 30 Russian attacks were repulsed on Friday. Both sides also fought heavy battles near Limansk.
According to the Ukrainian military leadership, the Russian troops are trying to completely conquer Bakhmut by May 9th at the latest. For Moscow, this would be a prestige victory on Victory Day over Nazi Germany. Since the capitulation, which actually came into force on May 8, 1945, was signed a second time on the night of May 9 at Soviet headquarters at Stalin’s request, this day is considered a public holiday in Russia./cha/DP/he