2023-04-15 16:34:54
O russian army announced the conquest of more territory from Bakhmut, this time on the northern and southern outskirts of the city in eastern Ukraine, towards Donetsk. That place, which remained under the control of the Ukrainian armed forces, is the epicenter of very violent fighting that has been going on for several months.
The announcement made this Saturday (15), complements a series of news released by Russia throughout the week, related to advances in the city. On Friday (14), the forces under the command of Vladimir Putin they said they were heading westwards from Bakhmut, to take the last part of the town which, even destroyed, was still in Ukraine’s hands.
On Thursday (13), the Russian army said it was blocking Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut, preventing reinforcements from entering. By doing so, they suggested that the city, the scene of the bloodiest battle since the start of the Russian offensive, was on the verge of falling.
Ukraine has been denying its opponent’s claims. He guaranteed that he continues to supply the country’s soldiers who are in Bakhmut, and that they still impose ‘losses’ on the Russians.
On Friday, Britain said it had received an intelligence update that Ukrainian troops had been forced to cede some Bakhmut territory as Russia mounted new attacks there after days of intense artillery fire. .
The image of a video captured by drone shows part of the destroyed city. It was possible to confirm that it really is Bakhmut, based on comparison with archival photos and satellite images of the region. However, the date the video was shot could not be retrieved.
Before the war, Bakhmut had a population of around 70,000 people. It is Russia’s main target in a winter offensive that has so far yielded little gain for that country, despite ground infantry combat at an intensity not seen in Europe since World War II.
In a video posted on messaging apps and social media, Russian Defense Minister Igor Konashenkov said: “Assault units [do grupo] Wagner successfully advanced, capturing two blocks on the northern and southern outskirts of the city.
He refers to Wagner paramilitary groupwhich is supported by army artillery and paratroopers, and is in the first line of battle.
This group is responsible for the ‘most intense combats’.
According to the minister, Ukrainian troops are “retreating and deliberately destroying the city’s infrastructure and residential buildings, to try to stop the advance” of Russian forces.
“The troops [russas] Airborne forces are holding the enemy on the flanks and supporting the actions of the assault groups to take the city,” he added.
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