NEAR BAKHMUT: As Kyiv made its greatest breakthrough in six months ahead of an anticipated counteroffensive, the Russian military and the Wagner private army both said that Russian forces retreated from around Bakhmut, a city which has been bearing the brunt of Russian onslaught for the last six months or so.
The worst land battle in Europe since World War Two has switched dramatically as Ukrainian forces on the front line said that Russia was bombing access routes to stall the Ukrainian attack and advancement, Reuters said.
According to Petro Podaru, commander of a Ukrainian artillery battalion, “now, for the most part, as we have started to advance, they are shelling all the routes to front positions, so our armoured vehicles can’t deliver more infantry, ammunition, and other things.”
According to the Ukrainian military, forces had advanced by more than a mile in several areas. Its soldiers had been enduring a massive attack by Moscow that saw only gradual progress for half a year.
Serhiy Cherevatyi, a military spokesman, stated in televised remarks that “our units have continued to advance on the flanks, covering a distance of 150 to 1,700 metres (1.1 miles) despite the fact that they lack an equipment… and personnel advantage.”
Gains for Ukraine have been followed by a widening public rift between Wagner, which has spearheaded the Bakhmut campaign, and the regular Russian military among Russia’s forces.
The sole reward for Moscow’s massive winter onslaught, which failed everywhere along the front, would be the destroyed remains of Bakhmut, which both sides referred to as a “meat grinder.”
According to Kyiv, small-scale victories have been made around Bakhmut as a lead-up to a major counteroffensive that would hopefully reverse Russia’s 15-month invasion.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Wagner, said that his soldiers are currently making progress within Bakhmut and are about to drive Ukrainian forces from their final stronghold in the populated region on the western fringes of the city.
However, he said that commanders of Russia’s regular forces abandoned territory to the north and south of the city, increasing the possibility that his men inside Bakhmut could be encircled by Ukrainian forces.
In his most recent voicemail on Thursday, Prigozhin stated, “Unfortunately, forces of the Russian Defence Ministry have withdrew up to 570 metres (1,880 ft) to the north of Bakhmut, exposing our flanks.
In a public speech to Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, Prigozhin said, “I am appealing to the top leadership of the Ministry of Defence because my letters are not being read. Please do not give up the flanks.”
During the last week, the Russian defence ministry has admitted minor retreats from positions close to Bakhmut, but it disputes Prigozhin’s claims that the flanks are collapsing and that Wagner has been denied ammunition.
FALLING INTO ‘THE MOUSETRAP’
Russian reserves had been moved into Bakhmut, according to Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar, and combat had been going on all day in the city’s northern and southern districts. But the Russians had been driven back, and according to her assessment, her soldiers had advanced by approximately a km in certain places.
Maliar said on her Telegram channel that “we are buying time for some planned actions.” Reuters was unable to verify her claims.
According to Kyiv, its strategy in relation to Bakhmut is to entice Russian soldiers into the city in order to undermine Russia’s other front-line defences before Kyiv’s intended counteroffensive.
Oleksander Syrskyi, the commander of Ukraine’s ground forces, spoke to troops at the Bakhmut front in a video that was posted this week on social media. “Wagner troops climbed into Bakhmut like rats into a mousetrap,” he said.
“In certain directions near Bakhmut, we use the strategy of active defence and launch counteroffensive operations. Although the opponent has greater resources, we are foiling his schemes.
After a hiatus of almost two months, Russia has resumed missile and drone strikes throughout Ukraine this month as Kyiv’s counteroffensive approaches. The conflict is now moving at its fastest possible speed, with waves of attacks occurring multiple times every week.
