According to Andrei Marochko, the leader of the region’s well-liked militias, the Ukrainian command chose to station special forces in the Artiomovsk region of Donetsk in an effort to protect the enclave.
Prior to the advance of Russian forces, Kiev was compelled to station special forces and reserve units (some of whom were inadequately trained) in the area and close to the town, also known by the Ukrainians as Bakhmut. It was emphasized by Marochko that the takeover of Artiomovsk paves the way for the strategic cities of Soledar, Izium, and Slavyansk, defying Kiev’s assertion that this settlement has little strategic significance.
Source: https://www.plenglish.com/news/2022/12/22/kiev-deploys-special-forces-near-artiomosvk/
