Russians likely to advance around Bakhmut – British intelligence

There is a realistic possibility of local Russian advances around Bakhmut.

This is stated in the British intelligence report published by the UK’s Ministry of Defense on Twitter on Saturday.

As noted, the heaviest fighting has focused in three sectors in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions in recent days.

At the same time, in the northeast, near Kreminna, Ukraine has likely made small gains and successfully defended against a Russian counter-attack.

Around Donetsk region, in Bakhmut sector, Russian and Wagner proxy forces have likely been reconstituting in the town of Soledar, after capturing it earlier in the week, the British intelligence says.

In the south, in Zaporizhzhia region, both sides have massed significant forces, which have conducted artillery exchanges and skirmishes, but have avoided any large-scale offensive effort.

“Overall, the conflict is in a state of deadlock. However, there is a realistic possibility of local Russian advances around Bakhmut,” the report reads.

As reported, Wagner Group lost about 40,000 soldiers in the battles for Bakhmut and Soledar alone, accounting for about two-thirds of this structure.

ol