Brave Ukrainian troops are preparing a major Bakhmut counter-offensive against Putin’s army

A WONDERED soldier is carried away from the front lines as Ukrainian troops continue to advance against Russia.

Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers will launch a major counter-offensive against Vladimir Putin’s army in the eastern city of Bakhmut.

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Fighting in the city of 70,000, which lies on the edge of the contested Donbass region, has intensified again after Russian forces took control in August last year.

But Putin’s forces could not advance beyond the city as brave Ukrainian defenses were strong.

The commander of Ukraine’s ground forces, Colonel Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, said his soldiers had successfully withstood Russia’s winter bombardment and were ready to reclaim lost ground.

The military official said: “Very soon we will seize this opportunity, as we have done in the past near Kiev, Kharkiv, Balakliia and Kupiansk.”

He added that Russian forces are “decreasing significantly in strength and are out of power.”

More than 90% of Bakhmut residents have fled their homes after thousands of homes were destroyed by Russian missiles.

It comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented medals to the soldiers and added: “We are now at the crucial stage of the struggle for our independence.

“We must do everything to accelerate our victory.”

The wartime leader, 45, attended celebrations marking the 9th anniversary of Ukraine’s National Guard.

He told the decorated soldiers: “Protecting the honor of Ukraine is your way”.

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