Ukrainian Defenders Oust Russian Forces from Some Positions in Bakhmut, Says Ukraine General

Damaged buildings in Bakhmut, the site of the heaviest battles with the Russian troops in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Wednesday, April 26, 2023. (AP)
Damaged buildings in Bakhmut, the site of the heaviest battles with the Russian troops in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Wednesday, April 26, 2023. (AP)
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Ukrainian Defenders Oust Russian Forces from Some Positions in Bakhmut, Says Ukraine General

Damaged buildings in Bakhmut, the site of the heaviest battles with the Russian troops in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Wednesday, April 26, 2023. (AP)
Damaged buildings in Bakhmut, the site of the heaviest battles with the Russian troops in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Wednesday, April 26, 2023. (AP)

Ukrainian counterattacks have ousted Russian forces from some positions in the besieged eastern city of Bakhmut, but the situation remains "difficult", a top Ukrainian general said in comments released Monday.

During the past few months the battle for Bakhmut has become the fulcrum of a conflict that has seen little shift in front lines since late last year, leaving both sides looking for a breakthrough.

"The situation is quite difficult," said Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of ground forces, in a statement on Telegram.

"At the same time, in certain parts of the city, the enemy was counterattacked by our units and left some positions."

Syrskyi made the remarks while visiting front-line troops on Sunday, the military said.

He added that new Russian units, including paratroopers and fighters from the Wagner mercenary group, were being "constantly thrown into battle" despite taking heavy losses.

"But the enemy is unable to take control of the city," Syrskyi said.

Russian forces have steadily made incremental gains in Bakhmut, but a Ukrainian military spokesman said on Sunday it was still possible to supply the defenders with food, ammunition and medicine.

Ukraine said on Monday its forces had repelled more than 36 enemy attacks on the part of the eastern frontline that stretches from Bakhmut to Maryinka, just west of Donetsk.

Kyiv is preparing to mount a widely expected counteroffensive to retake swathes of territory in the east and south that was occupied by Russian forces following the invasion, which Moscow calls a "special military operation", 15 months ago.



Israeli Judiciary Examines Impeaching Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Budapest on April 4 (Reuters) 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Budapest on April 4 (Reuters) 
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Israeli Judiciary Examines Impeaching Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Budapest on April 4 (Reuters) 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Budapest on April 4 (Reuters) 

Well-informed sources in the Israeli judiciary have reported that the government's Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara is re-examining the possibility of impeaching Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu because of the hostile stance he and his government are taking against the head of the Shin Bet, Ronen Bar.

The dispute between the PM and Bar had lately gone far as to urge Netanyahu to cancel a security forum scheduled two days ago after Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced his intention to boycott such meetings if the Shin Bet chief attends.

Israeli sources said Netanyahu’s decision is a “serious violation of the rules of governance.”

They accused the government of letting internal rivalries override urgent national security concerns.

The PM decision to cancel the security meeting came amid increased tensions between the political echelon and the country’s security and judicial system, particularly considering the fresh security scandal, which saw a Shin Bet official arrested on suspicion of leaking classified information to an elected official and two journalists.

It also comes after Netanyahu’s cabinet voted last month to fire Bar, a decision that the High Court of Justice froze until further notice.

Unofficial Security Consultations

On Wednesday, Kan 11 reported that from now on, Netanyahu will hold the majority of his security meetings informally, to ensure that the head of the Shin Bet does not attend.

On Wednesday, Smotrich’s office said he notified Netanyahu he would not participate in security meetings if Bar was attending, calling him a “dangerous man” who uses Shin Bet tools for “personal needs” and to “take revenge on politicians and journalists.”

Opposition’s Reaction

In return, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, who said that calling off a security cabinet meeting “because of a threat from an extremist minister is a direct violation of state security.”

He added that the “criminal government is a danger to every citizen of the State of Israel”.

Similarly, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said that it was “alarmed” that “sensitive security discussions are being canceled due to personal and political disputes.”

“What other discussions will be canceled due to the same conflicts?” the forum asked. “Will the fate of the hostages be decided based on petty politics?

“Show responsibility, sit in one room and come up with an agreement that will return everyone,” it added.

Benny Gantz, chairman of the opposition National Unity party, said that the cancellation of the meeting was “reckless” and could harm Israel’s national security.