Ukraine-Russia war – live: Putin’s forces mount ‘desperate resistance’ near Bakhmut, Kyiv says
Advancing Ukrainian troops are facing “desperate resistance” from Russian forces around the eastern city of Bakhmut, a senior Ukrainian commander has said.
Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, who is in charge of Ukrainian ground forces, said the situation in the east was tense and Russia was bringing its best divisions into the Bakhmut sector with backup from artillery and aircraft.
The small, ruined city of Bakhmut in Ukraine’s Donetsk region has suffered some of the fiercest and bloodiest fighting of the war.
Earlier, at least two explosions rocked Kyiv and air raid sirens blared as African leaders visited Ukraine on a peace mission.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported explosions in the central Podil district and warned that more missiles were headed towards the capital.
The African leaders, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Senagal President Macky Sall, had begun their visit with a trip to a mass grave in Bucha, near Kyiv ahead of a meeting with Volodymr Zelensky.
The African peace mission could propose a series of “confidence building measures” during initial efforts at mediation, according to a draft framework document seen by Reuters.
