Russian offensive on Bakhmut could be losing momentum, UK says
Russia’s bid to seize Bakhmut in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, could be losing momentum, according to the U.K.’s Ministry of Defence.
“There is a realistic possibility that the Russian assault on the town is losing the limited momentum it had obtained, partially because some Russian MoD [Ministry of Defense] units have been reallocated to other sectors,” the British defense ministry said in an intelligence update Wednesday.
It noted that Ukrainian forces had been able to initiate a local counterattack to the west of Bakhmut in recent days, a move that was likely to relieve pressure on the threatened H-32 supply route, one of the last main roads into the city that its Ukrainian defenders can use.
Ukrainian servicemen are seen along the frontline south of Bakhmut, Ukraine on March 20, 2023.
Wolfgang Schwan | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
However, it noted that “fighting continues around the town centre and the Ukrainian defence remains at risk from envelopment from the north and south.”
Russia and Ukraine have been fighting for control of Bakhmut for seven months and while analysts say seizing or defending the former industrial town has little strategic value for Russia or Ukraine per se, both sides have committed masses of manpower and hardware and neither wants to retreat.
— Holly Ellyatt
UK says no nuclear escalation in Ukraine after row over depleted uranium munitions
Britain’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Wednesday there was no nuclear escalation in the Ukraine war after Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized Britain for supplying depleted uranium tank munitions to Ukrainian forces.
Britain had on Monday confirmed it was supplying Ukraine with ammunition which contained depleted uranium. The heavy metal is used in weapons because it can penetrate tanks and armour more easily due to its density, amongst other properties.
But Putin on Tuesday condemned British plans to send such ammunition to…
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