Russia could be diverting troops toward Bakhmut, UK says
A member of the Ukrainian special force in the region of Bakhmut, Ukraine, on April 6, 2023.
Kai Pfaffenbach | Reuters
Heavy fighting has continued along the front line in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, Britain’s Defense Ministry said Tuesday, but it noted that Russia could be concentrating its forces on capturing Bakhmut now.
“There is a realistic possibility that Russia has reduced troop numbers and is decreasing offensive action around Donetsk city, most likely to divert resources towards the Bakhmut sector,” the ministry said in an intelligence update on Twitter.
The U.K. said Russian regular units and mercenary forces belonging to the Wagner Group “continue to make creeping advances” in Bakhmut and that “the front line in the town centre largely follows the main railway line.”
“Ukraine is generally holding Russia’s envelopment from the south along the line of Korsunskovo Street, the old main road west out of town,” the ministry said.
For both sides, the exact sequencing of any major drawdown of their units around Bakhmut has become a critical question, the ministry noted, with “Ukraine wanting to free-up an offensive force while Russia likely aspires to regenerate an operational reserve.”
— Holly Ellyatt
Putin makes rare visit to Russian troops fighting in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly visited the headquarters of troops located in the Kherson region of southern Ukraine, a region partially occupied by Russian forces, where he was briefed on the military situation there by air force and army commanders.
Mikhail Klimentyev | Sputnik | via Reuters
Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a rare trip to meet Russian military commanders and troops fighting in Ukraine, the Kremlin said Tuesday.
Putin reportedly visited the headquarters of troops located in the Kherson region of southern Ukraine, a region partially occupied by Russian forces, where he was briefed on the military situation…
Read the full article here