In the battle for the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, Russia has increased its troops in the area, according to British intelligence. “Over the past four days, Russia has probably sent several battalions to reinforce the Bakhmut Front,” the Ministry of Defense in London said today.
According to British information, this was likely a reaction to tactical gains by the Ukrainian defenders on the flanks of the embattled city, and public threats by the mercenary group Wagner to stop fighting there.
Presumably only a few Russian units are available in Ukraine. Therefore, the transfer to the Bakhmut area represents a remarkable commitment by the Russian command, according to the British ministry. “It is likely that the Russian leadership will continue to view the capture of Bakhmut as the most important immediate war objective that would allow them to achieve some degree of success in the conflict.”
Ukraine also reports Russian reinforcements
Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maljar had previously stated that the Russian military had transferred several thousand troops to Bakhmut as reinforcements. “The enemy cannot win with quality, so he tries with quantity,” she wrote on Facebook.
The British Ministry of Defense published daily information on the course of the war since the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, citing intelligence information. In doing so, the British government wants to counter the Russian portrayal and keep the Allies in line. Moscow accuses London of a disinformation campaign.