Rishi Sunak hails Ukraine resistance in Bakhmut in call with Zelensky

Rishi Sunak hails Ukraine resistance in Bakhmut and condemns ‘appalling’ beheading video during call with Volodymyr Zelensky

• Rishi Sunak and Volodymyr Zelensky took stock on situation in call this morning 

Rishi Sunak hailed Ukraine forces’ resistance in Bakhmut today as he held talks with Volodymyr Zelensky.

The PM was updated on the fierce fighting around the city – which Russia claims to have surrounded – in a call with the president this morning.

They also discussed how to step up weapons supplies for the struggle against Vladimir Putin’s forces, while Mr Sunak condemned an ‘appalling’ video appearing to show a captured Ukrainian soldier being beheaded. 

Russia has been trying to seize the eastern city, which had a pre-war population of 70,000, since last summer. However, experts say its strategic value is limited and a fall now would be largely symbolic.

The Russian army said its airborne troops were ‘blocking the transfer of Ukrainian army reserves to the city and the possibility of retreat for enemy units.’

Ukrainian soldiers of the 80th brigade firing artillery in the direction of Bakhmut, on April 13

Rishi Sunak was updated on the fierce fighting around the city of Bakhmut – which Russia claims to have surrounded – in a call with the president this morning.

It also said that Wagner mercenary units were advancing.

But the Ukrainian army told AFP news agency it had communication with its troops inside Bakhmut and was able to send them munitions.

‘This does not correspond to reality,’ Sergiy Cherevaty, spokesman for Ukraine’s eastern forces said, referring to Russia’s claims.

‘We are able to… deliver food products, ammunition, medicines, all that is necessary, and also to recover our wounded.’ 

MailOnline has been unable to verify the status on the ground in the eastern city. 

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: ‘The Prime Minister spoke to President Zelensky this morning. 

‘The leaders discussed the latest situation on the battlefield and the Prime Minister paid tribute to the efforts of the Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut.

‘Discussing the abhorrent beheading of a Ukrainian soldier shown on social media in recent days, the Prime Minister said the video was appalling and those responsible had to be held to account.

‘The leaders also discussed efforts to accelerate military support to Ukraine, and the Prime Minister said the UK and its allies needed to continue to ensure Ukraine was in the strongest possible position to build on its recent battlefield successes.

‘That included increasing interoperability with Nato both in the short and long term, the Prime Minister added.

‘The leaders agreed to stay in close touch.’

An aerial view shows the destruction of Bakhmut, the site of heavy battles with Russian troops in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, on March 26

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