 Zelensky, we cannot give up Bakhmut, that would expand Battlefront. President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine cannot give up on holding Bakhmut as its conquest by Russian forces could give them a stepping stone to advance on Kramatorsk and Slovyansk. Zelensky said it in an interview to Al-Arabiya, it is impossible for us to give up on Bakhmut because this would help expand the Battlefront and give the Russian forces and Wagner a chance to seize more of our lands. According to Zelensky, if Russia captures Bakhmut, it could be used as a stepping stone to advance on two bigger cities it has long coveted in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, Kramatorsk and Slovyansk. Despite some analysts saying the city has little strategic value, Zelensky is insisting that Ukraine will not give up on the eastern Ukrainian city. He called on them all to visit the city so that they can understand what could happen and what the threats are. In the interview Zelensky expressed confidence in Ukraine's ability to repel the Russian invasion stating that Ukrainian forces are getting ready for a counter offensive. I cannot describe the situation as good but we are fighting. We are stronger than we were a year ago, he said. However, Russia said its forces had advanced in Bakhmut while a top Ukrainian commander said his troops were holding the frontline through the city. Moscow said its forces had taken two more neighborhoods in the western area of the nearly destroyed city but offered no details. Russia, which invaded Ukraine 14 months ago, sees taking Bakhmut as a pathway to other advances in eastern Ukraine. However, Ukrainian Colonel General Oleksandr Sirsky posted on the messaging app Telegram images of him and his troops at the frontline and said we hit the enemy often unexpectedly for him and continue to hold strategic lines.