Wagner Group started to withdraw from some positions in Bakhmut - UK intelligence

The UK Defense Ministry said this in its daily intelligence update published on Twitter, according to Ukrinform.

On May 25, Wagner owner Yevgeny Prigozhin said the withdrawal of his forces from Bakhmut had begun and that transfer of positions to the Russian Ministry of Defense would continue to June 1.

A Ukrainian deputy defense minister also corroborated the rotation out of Wagner forces in the outskirts of the town.

According to the update, as of May 24, so-called Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) forces have likely entered the city to start clearance operations.

"In recent weeks, elements of the 31st Brigade of Russia's Airborne Forces (VDV) have likely moved from the Svatove-Kreminna area to reinforce Bakhmut's flanks," the intelligence said.

Ukrainian forces had taken 20 square kilometers on Bakhmut's flanks as of May 16. The rotation out of Wagner forces is likely to continue in controlled phases to prevent collapse in pockets around Bakhmut.

"Despite Prigozhin's ongoing feud with the Russian MOD, Wagner forces will likely be used for further offensive operations in the Donbas following reconstituting its forces," the intelligence said.