Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu met with Russian troops deployed in the Ukraine war. He went to Ukraine on Saturday to award medals to Russian soldiers and meet with senior army officers.

This information was given in a CNN report citing the statement published by the Russian Ministry of Defense.

“Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited the command post of the Vastak (Eastern) Force in Ukraine,” the statement said.

Also, in a short video released by the Russian Ministry of Defense, Defense Minister Shoigu is seen first in a helicopter and some time later among some badly damaged buildings. However, it was not possible to immediately know the ‘geolocation’ of the video.

Meanwhile, fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces continues in the streets of Bakhmut, Ukraine. However, Russia has not taken control of the eastern Ukrainian city, said Oleksandr Marchenko, the city’s deputy mayor.

Taking the city of Bakhmut would be a major achievement for Russia in recent months. But there are questions about the city’s strategic assessment.
Marchenko said that 4,000 people have been kept in shelters due to disconnection of gas, electricity and water. The city of Bakhmut was almost destroyed. There is not a single building that has not been attacked. The conflict in Bakhmu has been going on for months. Fighting is going on near the city. Fighting is also taking place on the streets of the city.

Some experts say Russia may have to win at a high price. Several thousand Russian troops were killed trying to take control of Bakhmut.

Marchenko complained that there was no Russian effort to defend the city. Russia is committing genocide. The communication system of Bakhmut city is now disrupted. The city’s bridges were destroyed.