Ukraine War: Russia Has Intensified Bakhmut Assault, Hopes To Take It By Tuesday, Says Ukrainian General

Russia has intensified the assault on Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine in the hopes of taking it by Tuesday, according to a top Ukrainian general.

The general also said that Russia is using more advanced weapon is regrouping personnel in the assault, according to Reuters. 

Reuters quoted Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Ukrainian commander of ground forces, as saying that Russian forces have increased the intensity of shelling with heavy weapons of Bakhmut. 

He said, "Today, it is important to make decisions as quickly as possible and predict the actions of the enemy," Syrskyi said on his Telegram channel after what he said was a visit to the troops along the Bakhmut frontline. The Russians still hope to capture the city by May 9. Our task is to prevent this."

Bakhmut has witnessed some of the most intensive fighting in recent months. Besides tactical and strategic value, both the sides are also aiming at symbolic victories by winning the city. The Russians have invested huge material and human resources in the battle, which if it wins would be the first major gain in a long time. 

"Moscow sees Bakhmut as a stepping stone to attacking other Ukrainian cities. Kyiv has said before that keeping the defence of Bakhmut, allows for the military to prepare its expected counteroffensive," reports Reuters. 

Think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on Monday that Russia made some gains in Bakhmut on Sunday.

"Russian forces made some territorial gains in Bakhmut as of May 7 and continued limited offensive operations on the Avdiivka-Donetsk front," reported ISW, sharing a map of the territorial control and operations. 

Elsewhere, significant fighting continues in Tortsk, Avdiivka, and Marinka in Donetsk provice in the east, according to ISW.