Pro-Russian separatists announce the capture of a village near Bakhmout
Pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region have announced the capture of a village near Bakhmout, one of the hottest spots on the front lines that Moscow forces have been attempting to seize in several months.
The village of Bakhmoutse in the Donetsk region “was liberated by Russian forces,” affirm the separatists of this Russian-annexed region. The information could not be verified.
Bakhmoutske is northeast of Bakhmout, a town once known for its vineyards and salt mines, which had a population of around 70,000 before the Russian offensive began in February 2022. Russian forces, led in particular by mercenaries from the Wagner Group, have been trying to take Bakhmout for months, but are encountering fierce resistance from the Ukrainians. In particular, the two camps engaged in a ferocious artillery duel that reduced part of the city to rubble.
Bakhmoutske is right next to Soledar, which is also the scene of fierce fighting. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday evening that the area between these two cities was “one of the bloodiest places on the front lines”.