Ukraine has called on its allies to speed up the delivery of military aid as NATO defense ministers meet for a second day today while Russia bombards the east.

Main target of her artillery of Russia it is Bakhmut, a city in the Donetsk region, which is considered of strategic importance.

Ukrainian troops have reinforced their positions there, expecting street battles. The capture of Bakhmut will allow Moscow to advance on two larger cities, the Kramatorsk and the Slovianskalso in Donetsk province.

“The situation on the front line, mainly in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, remains very difficult. Battles are being fought literally for every meter of Ukrainian territory,” Zelensky said in his evening message.

Russia is in a hurry to gain as much ground as it can before Ukraine and its allies regain strength, the Ukrainian president had pointed out earlier yesterday, Tuesday.

“That’s why speed is of the utmost importance,” he added. “Speed ​​is everything – in making decisions, in implementing decisions, in moving supplies, in training. Speed ​​saves people’s lives,” he emphasized.

Moscow has increased its offensive along the front line in southern and eastern Ukraine in recent days, and is expected to launch a new, major offensive.

Over the course of yesterday, Russian forces bombed more than 25 settlements near Bakhmut, the general staff of the Ukrainian army announced today.

Ukrainian units repelled attacks in areas around more than 20 settlements, including Bakhmut and Bukhledar, the same source added.