Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), appealed not to underestimate Russia and to strengthen support for Ukraine, stating that the eastern Ukrainian battleground city of Bakhmut could fall to Russia within days. Western intelligence agencies, including those of the United States, have downplayed the significance of Bakhmut's fall, suggesting it will not drastically change the course of the war, but they remain concerned about an intensification of Russia's offensive.
According to CNN on the 8th (local time), Stoltenberg held a press conference ahead of a meeting with European Union (EU) defense ministers in Stockholm, Sweden, where he said, "We cannot rule out the possibility that Bakhmut will eventually fall to Russia within the next few days," and added, "this does not necessarily mean a turning point in the war, but it shows that we must not underestimate Russia. We must continue to support Ukraine."
Bakhmut is a strategic location in Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine, serving as a key point for advancing towards the major cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. It is an area where major arterial roads leading to western Donetsk Oblast converge. Formerly a mining city known for salt mining, the city has been heavily targeted by Russian offensives since July last year, resulting in most of the city being destroyed after more than eight months of fighting.
It is estimated that Russian forces have suffered 20,000 to 30,000 casualties on the Bakhmut front alone, while Ukrainian casualties have exceeded 10,000. Notably, the Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary company leading the offensive, claims to have taken control of the eastern part of Bakhmut by deploying prisoner units composed of conscripted inmates.
Although the Ukrainian government insists on holding Bakhmut, the city is surrounded on three sides?north, east, and south?by Russian forces, and the western area is gradually being encroached upon, placing the city at risk of falling.
During the meeting between Stoltenberg and EU defense ministers, additional measures to rapidly deliver large quantities of ammunition to Ukraine amid the threat of Bakhmut's fall were expected to be discussed. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov also attended. Stoltenberg stated, "We plan to agree on new guidelines to ensure countries maintain their weapons stockpiles while continuing sustained support for Ukraine."
Meanwhile, Stoltenberg took a cautious stance regarding foreign media reports linking pro-Ukrainian forces to the Nord Stream gas pipeline explosions. In response to related questions, he said, "What we currently know is that there was an attack on Nord Stream, which was sabotage. However, we have not yet identified who was behind it. Since investigations by the relevant countries are ongoing, I think it is appropriate to wait for conclusions."
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