Ukrainian Armed Forces hold fortifications and several buildings in southwestern part of Bakhmut — Eastern Group of Troops' spokesperson Cherevatyi

President Zelenskyy's response to a question about the Russian capture of Bakhmut has sparked debate. Eastern Group spokesman Serhii Cherevatyi explained that the Ukrainian military still holds a number of buildings in the southwestern part of the city.

Serhii Cherevatyi said this in a comment to Suspilne.

On May 21, while on a visit to Japan, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received the following question from a journalist: "Is Bakhmut still in Ukraine's hands? The Russians say they've taken Bakhmut." "I think no," the President replied.

Reuters and the Associated Press interpreted this answer to mean that Russians had captured Bakhmut. Instead, President's spokesman Serhii Nykyforov said that Zelenskyy was denying the second part of the question — the Russians' statement.

In addition, the President said that the city is now completely destroyed.

This statement was supported by the spokesperson for the Eastern group of troops, Serhii Cherevatyi. "The President was right — the city has been essentially razed to the ground. The enemy is destroying it with massive artillery and air strikes every day, and our units report that the situation is extremely difficult. Our military are holding fortifications and several buildings in the southwestern part of the city," he said in a comment to Suspilne.

To stop the Russians, Ukrainian units are trying to put pressure on the flanks and counterattack if possible.

In the morning report, the General Staff said that the fight for Bakhmut continues.