Russia's Wagner military group said it had strengthened its positions around the city of Bakhmut amid ongoing attempts to encircle it, while the US defense secretary revealed the number of German Leopard tanks that Western allies have pledged to deliver to Ukraine.

The Russian group, which spearheaded the attack on Bakhmut, north of Donetsk province of the Donbas region (eastern Ukraine), said it had reinforced its positions north and northwest of the city.

On Wednesday, Wagner's forces took control of the town of Zalyonyansky and highlands near northern Pakhmut, as well as positions in the industrial zone south of the city.

Before that, the fighters of the Russian group captured the eastern part of the small city, while Ukrainian forces controlled the western part of it. Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhine spoke of battles taking place in the heart of the city.

Wagner's forces have imposed a cordon around Pakhmut from the east, south and north, while Ukrainian forces are using secondary roads to bring reinforcements into the city, because the main road west of the city is in the range of fire of the Russian army.


Long battle

As the fighting in Bakhmot nears the completion of its eighth month, the Russians are ramping up pressure to seize Bakhmot in pursuit of the first victory in months, while the Ukrainians cling to the city, as its fall opens the way for Russian forces to advance on major cities in Donetsk such as Kramatorsk and Slovensk.

The chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, said yesterday that Russia had suffered heavy losses and was making ineffective tactical advances in Bakhmut.

The battle of Pakhmut has cost Wagner's forces and the Russian army heavy casualties, Milley said, noting that Ukrainian forces are defending valiantly.

After the Ukrainian leadership again announced that it had taken a decision to defend Pakhmut, President Volodymyr Zelensky said yesterday evening that the position had become clear: the need to strengthen the front with supplies to destroy Russian forces.

German tanks

Separately, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said yesterday that Ukraine's allies had pledged to help it militarily with more than 150 German-made Leopard tanks.

Austin added that Ukraine will be able to form more than 9 brigades thanks to those tanks.


He said his country was able to deliver what Ukraine needed "as soon as possible."

Some Western countries have already sent the first Leopard tanks to Ukraine, and according to military experts, these modern tanks will help the Ukrainian army launch a major counteroffensive expected this spring.

Israeli jamming systems

On the other hand, the US news site Axios quoted informed sources as saying that Israel recently approved licenses for the possible sale of counter-jamming systems that could help Ukraine counter Iranian drones.

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of the approval of the licenses during his visit to Kiev in mid-February.

He added that a delegation from the Ukrainian Defense Ministry recently visited Israel for a presentation on anti-drone systems, noting that no agreement has been signed so far.

Axios quoted Israeli officials as saying the jamming systems were defensive and did not use any live fire that could kill Russian soldiers.