Russia claims progress in the Battle of Bakhmut

(Reuters) – Russia’s defense ministry said on Sunday its forces had advanced into Bakhmut as a senior Ukrainian commander posted pictures with his troops saying they were holding the front that runs through the city, but it was completely destroyed in some of the bloodiest battles. From the 14 months war.

The Telegram posted by Ukrainian Colonel General Oleksandr Sersky followed a statement from the Russian ministry that its forces had secured two blocs in the western provinces, and that airborne units were delivering reinforcements to the north and south. Russia considers Bakhmut a springboard for further advances in eastern Ukraine.

It was mentioned in the post on the Syrskyi Telegram channel, under photos of him contemplating a map with three other men in uniform with the caption “The front line in Bakhmut. Continuing.”

Reuters could not verify the battlefield reports.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, commander of the Wagner Special Military Force leading the Bakhmut offensive, had 80% control of the city. Kiev has repeatedly denied allegations that its forces are about to withdraw.

On Sunday, the Russian president of Ukraine’s southern Kherson region also denied a report by a US think tank that Ukrainian forces had taken up positions on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River.

Vladimir Saldo wrote on his Telegram channel: “There is no enemy foothold on the left (eastern) bank of the Dnipro River… Our army completely controls that area.”

“There may be cases of enemy sabotage groups conducting self-portrait landings, before … being destroyed or pushed into the water by our fighters.”

Citing Russian military bloggers linked to Moscow’s forces, the Institute for the Study of War said Ukraine had “established positions” on the east bank, though it was not clear “on what scale or with what intentions”.

Russia withdrew its forces from the West Bank last year, part of a series of withdrawals that signaled a shift in momentum in Kiev’s favor.

Natalya Homenyuk, a spokeswoman for Ukraine’s Southern Command, did not confirm or deny the report, which she told Ukrainian television warned of “very strong shelling” in areas around the West Bank cities of Kherson and Breslavl.

“In response to such information, the enemy greatly intensified its attacks on the opposite bank,” it said. She said civilians were injured and about 30 buildings were destroyed, including a school.

It also called for “informational silence” to ensure operational security. “I want everyone to understand that it is very difficult to get around such an obstacle as, for example, the Dnipro River – when the front line runs along such a wide and powerful river,” she said. “You need to have some patience.”

(Reporting by Jake Cordell and Dan Belichuk) Editing by Hugh Lawson

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