Ukraine succeeds in counterattacks - ISW

Russia appears to have significantly reinforced its troops in Bakhmut. Among other things, the success of the Ukrainian side may be the reason for this. Ukrainian counterattacks and tactical gains on the ground near Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine have apparently had their effect. The danger of Russian troops cordoning off Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut has likely been eliminated, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US think tank, said in its daily briefing on the war in Ukraine.

Moreover, the occupying country was forced to use its own.limited military resources» for a local offensive in Bakhmut British intelligence agencies also report that over the past four days, Russia has increased the number of its troops in the battle for Bakhmut.several thousand people“.

Thus, in the suburbs of Bakhmut, the pace of advancement of Ukrainian troops slowed down somewhat. However, Russia is not able to regain lost positions.

In addition to the successes of Ukraine, the public threats of the Wagner mercenary group to stop hostilities in Bakhmut are also the reason for the strengthening of the Russian front, according to the British Ministry of Defense. There is a relocationsignificant stepfrom the Russian command, as very few Russian units are likely to be freely available in Ukraine, the Defense Department in London added.

“The Russian leadership probably continues to view the capture of Bakhmut as the most important immediate wartime goal, allowing him to claim some success in the conflict.“.

Recently, various Russian media have been quick to claim once again that Wagner’s forces have captured Bakhmut. These statements have drawn serious criticism, according to ISW. On May 19, Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin called the Russians’ admiration for Bakhmut over the weekend unlikely.

ISW saw no signs of a controlled withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from their positions in this city in eastern Ukraine. There is also no relevant observation that the Wagner groups are on the verge of capturing all remaining Ukrainian positions, according to ISW.

Earlier published an interview with the captain of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Rustam Remetov: “The guys are storming, and the enemy is running away in panic.”