Ukrainian troops were forced to withdraw from some areas of the front-line town of Bakhmut, as Russia renewed its assault on the area with intense artillery fire over the past two days, the British Ministry of Defense said in an assessment Friday morning, Reuters reports.
“Russia has resumed its assault on the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region, and the forces of the Russian Ministry of Defense and the Wagner Group have improved cooperation,” the British Ministry of Defense reported.
“Ukrainian troops are experiencing significant resupply problems, but they have made an orderly withdrawal from the positions they were forced to surrender,” says the British military’s daily intelligence.
Wagner took the lead on the Russian side in the months-long battle, the deadliest of the war for troops on both sides, but the leader of the mercenary group complained of little support for his forces from the regular army.
“Ukrainian defenses still hold the western districts of the city, but have come under particularly intense Russian artillery fire over the past 48 hours,” the British assessment says.
The British Ministry of Defense said that Wagner’s units are now focused on advancing to the center of Buckmouth, and Russian paratroopers are helping them attack the city’s flanks.
Bakhmut, home to around 70,000 people before the war, has been the main target of Russia’s massive winter offensive, which has so far produced little success despite infantry ground fighting of the intensity not seen in Europe since World War II.
Taking the city would be Russia’s first major victory in eight months. Moscow says this will pave the way for the seizure of more territory in the Donbas in eastern Ukraine, the main goal of the war.
Ukraine, which is preparing for its own counteroffensive, appeared to abandon Bakhmut at the end of February, but announced in March that it would continue to fight there, saying Russia was taking more casualties trying to take it by storm.
Follow the latest events of the 415th day of the war in Ukraine LIVETEXT on HOTNEWS.RO.
Source: Hot News
James Springer is a renowned author and opinion writer, known for his bold and thought-provoking articles on a wide range of topics. He currently works as a writer at 247 news reel, where he uses his unique voice and sharp wit to offer fresh perspectives on current events. His articles are widely read and shared and has earned him a reputation as a talented and insightful writer.