Ukrainian military commanders disclosed on Friday, May 12, 2023, that their troops had recaptured more territory from Russian forces at the eastern city of Bakhmut.
The 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) of territory that Ukrainian forces south of Bakhmut retook this week represented a significant gain and will protect an important supply chain, Commanders of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, a special forces unit that led the attack, stated.
President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy averred that he met with the top military commanders on Friday, adding that Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that his forces “stopped the enemy and even pushed him back in some directions.”
In a statement on Telegram on Friday, Deputy Defense Minister, Hanna Maliar confirmed that Ukrainian forces gained ground around Bakhmut, reiterating statements from military commanders earlier this week.
Maliar noted that Bakhmut has become a target of “almost sacred” importance to Russia. She accused the Kremlin of simultaneously claiming false victories on one hand, while also disseminating lies about being short on weapons and ammunition.
Maliar added that Russia suffered significant troop losses, as Ukraine gained 2km without losing any positions.
Russia denied Ukrainian claims but said its troops had regrouped in one area.
Units of the southern group of Russian forces had taken up a better defensive position in the Maloilinivka area, something which took into consideration “the favourable conditions of the Berkhivka reservoir”, Russia’s defence ministry said.
Berkhivka is to the north-west of Bakhmut.
However, in a video statement, the leader of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin ridiculed the Russian Defense Ministry’s report which claims that its forces regrouped to take more favorable positions, saying they effectively fled and “our flanks are crumbling.”
Prigozhin warned that the Ukrainian forces have reclaimed key heights around the city and effectively unblocked the key supply link to Bakhmut.
Referring to Russia’s military leaders, Prigozhin said, “You must immediately stop lying. If you fled, you must prepare new defensive lines.”
Prigozhin, who seems to use harsh criticism to pressure the Kremlin for more support and improve his stature, alleged that the Defense Ministry’s failure to protect Wagner’s flanks amounted to high treason and could result in a “great tragedy” for Russia.
Apparently denying Prigozhin’s claim of abandonment, Russia’s Defense Ministry Spokesman, Igor Konashenkov insisted that Russian airborne units are still supporting ground forces to “stop the attempts of the Ukrainian armed forces to counterattack on the flanks.”
“We Had To Neutralize The Enemy”
According to a Commander of the 1st Assault Battalion of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, who spoke on condition of being referred to by his call sign, the territorial gains occurred near the Siversky-Donets canal, between the villages of Ivanivske and Kurdiumivka.
“This was the enemy’s bridgehead, which they intended to use in their future attacks along the canal, in the direction of Kostiantynivka,” he said. “We had to neutralize the enemy and push them to the other side of the canal,” he added.
Another commander and a military spokesman confirmed his account.
The Commander divulged that the gains followed other successes, comprising one that secured an access road near Khromove, north of Bakhmut, and another that allowed Ukrainian forces to reclaim lost positions in the Industrial College inside Bakhmut city.
The slow and grinding fight for Bakhmut has been costly for both sides, with Ukraine seeking to deny Russia any territorial gains despite the area’s marginal strategic significance. Ukrainian forces are stationed in the city, while Russian troops are attacking from the north, east and south.
READ ALSO: Meloni And Pope Francis Urge Italians To Have More Children
