Ukraine deploys western heavy artillery, claims to inflict 'hell' on Russians near Bakhmut

Kyiv: Ukrainian armed forces are using Western-supplied heavy artillery to devastating effect in the ongoing intense battle near Bakhmut, a city captured by Russian forces in May, said Ukrainian commanders.

Buoyed by their recent capture of the strategic village of Klishchiivka, Ukrainian troops have lauded the 155-millimetre howitzers as crucial equipment provided by the United States and its NATO allies.

Unit commander Oleksandr emphasised the significant reliance on heavy artillery, which includes the Polish-made Krab gun and the US-manufactured M109 self-propelled howitzer. He said, "Even one gun can completely turn the situation around. An attack can be stopped with one such gun," reported Reuters.

Oleksandr also noted the psychological impact on Russian forces, as they reportedly expressed frustration about the relentless onslaught. He said, "They (the Russians) hate our hardware. That's what we gather from our intercepts. We hear that we keep giving them hell, and they keep wondering how much ammunition we have left."

The recent advances in the region, particularly the capture of Klishchiivka and nearby Andriivka, are seen as crucial steps toward reclaiming Bakhmut, which fell to Russian forces after months of intense fighting.

Ukraine's counteroffensive, launched in June, has faced challenges in breaking through well-entrenched Russian lines. Despite criticism from some Western quarters regarding the speed of progress, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and senior officials have celebrated the recent gains as significant achievements in the ongoing conflict.