War in Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelensky denies the capture of Bakhmut, claimed by Russia

Europe 1 with AFP 14:29 pm, May 21, 2023

THE ESSENTIALS

Yet claimed this Saturday by the Wagner group first and then by Moscow, the capture of Bakhmut by Russian troops was denied this Sunday by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This city in Donbass is the epicenter of the longest and deadliest battle of the war that began in February 2022. On Sunday, US President Joe Biden also spoke, assuring that Vladimir Putin "will not break [our] determination to support Ukraine".

Key information

• Volodymyr Zelensky denied on Sunday the capture of Bakhmut by Russian troops
• Kiev says it has "partially encircled" the city
• Russian President Vladimir Putin "will not break our determination" to support Ukraine, Joe Biden assures

No capture of Bakhmut by Russians, support Zelensky

The Russian paramilitary group Wagner, whose men were on the front line in the fighting, then the Russian Ministry of Defense had assured Saturday to have "totally liberated" Bakhmut, epicenter of the longest and deadliest battle of the war that began in February 2022. Volodymyr Zelensky, who is in Hiroshima, Japan for a G7 summit during which he gathered diplomatic support and military aid, "denied the capture of Bakhmut," according to details of his comments made on Facebook by his spokesman Sergei Nykyforov.

Earlier, the press had asked President Zelensky: "Is Bakhmut still in the hands of Ukraine? The Russians say they took Bakhmut." The head of state replied: "I don't think so", without it being clear whether he was answering the first or second part of the question. "There is nothing in this place (...) just ruins and lots of dead Russians," he continued, seeming to suggest that Bakhmut would be just a Pyrrhic victory for the Russians. He praised the "excellent work" of Ukrainian soldiers.

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Ganna Maliar said Kiev's forces had "partially encircled" Bakhmut thanks to their recent breakthrough on the northern and southern flanks, which she said made it "very difficult" for the Russian presence in the city. She reiterated that the Ukrainian defenders in Bakhmut still control "some industrial facilities and infrastructure." Russian President Vladimir Putin has already congratulated Wagner's men and the Russian army for "the completion of the operation (which liberated) Bakhmut and promised to decorate the servicemen who distinguished themselves in this battle that has lasted since the summer.

Vladimir Putin "will not break our determination" on Ukraine, says Biden

Russian President Vladimir Putin "will not break our determination" to support Ukraine, US President Joe Biden said Sunday from Hiroshima, Japan, after a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the G7 summit. Joe Biden said he assured Volodymyr Zelensky that Washington and Kiev's other allies "will not weaken" in the face of Moscow's war in Ukraine. "Putin will not break our resolve as he thought he could," he added.

The Ukrainian head of state has been in Hiroshima since Saturday, where he has exchanged views with many heads of state and government, including those of the seven most industrialized democracies. And he secured the promise of new U.S. deliveries of ammunition, artillery and armored vehicles, including $375 million. On Friday, Joe Biden had also overcome his long-standing reluctance by saying he was ready to allow other countries to provide Kiev with the fighter jets that Volodymyr Zelensky has been demanding for months, American-made F-16s, a decision that the Ukrainian leader described as "historic".

How can the F-16 fighter jets, promised to Ukraine, change the game?

For General Patrick Dutartre, a former fighter pilot in the air force, the war in Ukraine could take another turn thanks to the American resolution. "So the F-16 is fourth generation. And these are aircraft that are extremely agile and especially that have on-board electronics, as well as very high performance air-to-air or air-to-ground missiles," he confirms, adding, "and that's what will make the difference," he told Europe 1. All the details, to be found in this article.

Why won't these F-16 planes fly right away in Ukrainian skies?

Now the ball is in the court of Kiev's allies, owners of F-16 aircraft. It is up to them whether or not to agree to deliver part of their fleet to Ukraine. For the time being, in Europe, only the Netherlands has announced that it wants to provide them. In addition, training pilots will take a lot of time because they will have to learn to fly with American aircraft. General Patrick Dutartre gives further explanations in this article.