The head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has released an audio message indicating Ukraine now holds the advantage in Bakhmut but Russia is seeking to reinforce the area with elite troops in an attempt the wrest it back.

What’s the latest on the ground?

On Wednesday evening, Ukrainian military spokesman Serhiy Cherevatyi, said Ukrainian forces were continuing to push back Russian forces in some areas.

"We are successfully conducting a defensive operation, counterattacking and during today our units have penetrated up to 500 meters in some areas," he told Ukrainian television.

His comments came a few hours after Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister, Hanna Malyar, said Ukraine had pushed Russian forces away from the flanks of Bakhmut, wresting back about 20 square kilometers (7.7 square miles) from the attempted Russian pincer movement around the besieged city.

Advertisement

And in yet another audio statement in which he, once again, criticized Russia’s military leaders, Wagner Chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said: "Despite the fact that the enemy has only a few percent of the territory in Bakhmut, surrounding the enemy does not appear to be possible. 

The Institute for the Study of War in its daily assessment on Wednesday highlighted Russian criticism of the Kremlin’s current situation, saying: “One prominent ‘milblogger’ complained that Russian forces must now react to Ukrainian actions, implying that Russian forces are losing the initiative in the Bakhmut area despite the limited nature of Ukrainian counterattacks in the area.” 

Putin Says Worry of War With NATO Is ‘Sheer Nonsense’ – Ukraine at War: Update for March 29
Other Topics of Interest

Putin Says Worry of War With NATO Is ‘Sheer Nonsense’ – Ukraine at War: Update for March 29

Putin brushes off suggestions of a conflict with NATO, while saying Western airfields hosting F-16s were fair game for strikes; Meanwhile, Russia said to have shot down its own warplane over Crimea

This all sounds very positive for Ukraine

It does, but it’s not all good news. Maylar also admitted yesterday that Moscow's forces were pushing deeper into the center of the city of Bakhmut.

In a post on Telegram, she said: “The enemy is advancing somewhat in Bakhmut itself, completely destroying the city with artillery.

“Heavy battles continue with different results.”

Advertisement

Cherevatyi echoed this during his interview, saying: "The enemy is seeking to take over the city at will, striking with all systems and calibers [of munitions].”

What has been Russia’s response?

According to Cherevatyi, the Russian army is moving new troops into the area “primarily paratroopers, in an attempt to achieve some kind of intermediate success."

Prigozhin appeared to confirm this in his audio message, saying: "As a result of the enemy's advance ... Russian paratroopers have taken up positions that are advantageous to the enemy."

Later on Thursday, Prigozhin released another audio message, saying: "Unfortunately, the Russian Ministry of Defense units withdrew up to 750 meters to the north of Bakhmut, exposing our flanks.

"I am addressing the top leadership of the Defense Ministry publicly because my letters are not being read. I have a request to you, Valeriy Vasilyevich (Gerasimov) and Sergey Kuzhugetovich (Shoigu), please don't give up the flanks, don't denudate the settlements for a few more days, keep pushing as hard as you can.

"Do everything in your power to keep the flanks from collapsing."

What about the bigger picture?

Ukraine’s recent advances are just the latest in a string of successes over the last couple of weeks.

Advertisement

On the evening of Sunday, May 14, Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister, Hanna Maylar, said that Kyiv’s forces had captured more than 10 Russian positions on the outskirts of Bakhmut.

“Enemy soldiers of various units have been captured,” Maylar said, in a post on social media on Sunday evening.

“Anyone who knows the real situation and is there now understands the gravity of what is happening,” she added.

On Saturday, Kyiv said its armed forces were “moving forward” in the Bakhmut sector, in what the head of the mercenary group Wagner has described as a “rout” of Russian forces.

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here
You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Comments (3)

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
I support
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

They are putting so much effort into a relic of a city makes you wonder is this part of the plan?l hope so may the power of good watch over Ukrainian fighters the9.

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Bosco
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

Trap them like mice blow them to hell

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
David
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

It seems Ukraine has significantly increased destruction of Russian artillery. If that continues Ukraine will recover Bakhmut.

dfarning
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

@David, Yes, my understanding is that Russia has few self-propelled artillery units available that can shoot and scoot. With the towed units needing more time before they are able to move after firing, Ukraine is significantly increasing its counter-battery efforts.

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png