While Russian troops, primarily fighters from the Wagner paramilitary group, have gradually and slowly gained ground in Bachmout in recent months, Ukrainian resistance remains fierce in the west of the city.
Less well prepared Russian units?
“We are conducting effective counterattacks. “In some areas of the front, the enemy could not withstand the onslaught of the Ukrainian defenders and retreated to a distance of up to two kilometers,” said Oleksandre Syrsky, commander of the Ukrainian army’s ground forces. According to him, in some places Wagner’s fighters on the ground have been replaced by Russian regular army units that are less well prepared.
Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine Ganna Maliar assured on Telegram that the Kiev troops “did not lose a single position in Bakhmout” during the day. These claims were immediately unverifiable by an independent source. “Our defensive forces reliably hold the front and prevent the enemy from advancing. The fight for Bakhmout continues,” added Oleksandre Syrsky.
“The flanks crack and collapse”
In an open conflict with the Russian General Staff, Wagner’s boss Evguéni Prigojine on Tuesday accused soldiers of the Russian regular army of having fled their positions in Bachmout. He had repeatedly complained about a shortage of ammunition for his men, accused the Russian military hierarchy of causing the shortage on purpose, and threatened to withdraw from Bachmout if the situation was not resolved.
On Wednesday, Yevgeny Prigoyine again claimed that his men did not receive enough ammunition for the Ukrainian army to “annihilate” Wagner at Bakhmout. “Due to the failure of the flanks” held by regular troops of the Russian army, there is a serious risk of Wagner being encircled in Bachmout, he assured, quoted by his press service on Telegram.