Kyiv: Russian troops have been hitting the eastern city of Bakhmuk in Donetsk region. The Ukrainian commander said that Moscow has now resorted to "scorched earth tactics" and is destroying buildings with air strikes and artillery.
The scorched earth tactic is a military strategy that aims to destroy anything that might be useful to the enemy including obvious weapons, transport vehicles, communication sites, and industrial resources.
Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine's ground forces, said the enemy switched to the so-called scorched earth tactics from Syria. "It is destroying buildings and positions with air strikes and artillery fire. The situation is difficult but controllable," reported Reuters.
He added that Russian forces were bringing special forces and airborne assault units to help their attack on the eastern city because members of Russia's Wagner military group had become "exhausted". Bakhmuk has been the focus of Moscow's invasion since the beginning.
Denis Pushilin, the Russia-installed head of the Donetsk region, recently visited Bakhmuk and posted a video of himself on Telegram. He said, "Here is our Artemovsk. It is being liberated by Wagnerites." Artemovsk is the Soviet-era name for Bakhmut. Destroyed buildings and ruins were seen behind the official and the sound of artillery was heard. The video is being considered a sign that the Wagner Group had made significant gains.