Vladimir Putin's private army has made some “tactical gains" in Ukraine, British defence chiefs said on Friday, but the Russian Army as a whole is undermined by "severe shortages" of munitions and manpower.
Forces led by the Wagner Group, a network of mercenaries working for Putin, have achieved some "localised gains" in the Donbas and "remain heavily involved" in fighting in Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine.
The Russians are believed to see seizing Bakhmut as important to advancing on the Kramatorsk-Sloviansk urban area, which is the most populated area of the Donetsk Oblast held by Ukraine. But any progress is “very slow".
The Ministry of Defence said in its Friday morning briefing: “In the last three days, pro-Russian forces have made tactical advances towards the centre of the town of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast.
“Elements of 2nd Army Corps, the pro-Russia militia of the Luhansk region, likely advanced into the villages of Opytine and Ivangrad to the south of the town.
“There have been few, if any, other settlements seized by regular Russian or separatist forces since early July.
However, forces led by the private military company Wagner Group have achieved some localised gains in the Donbas: Wagner likely remains heavily involved in the Bakhmut fighting.
“Russia continues to prosecute offensive operations in central Donbas and is, very slowly, making progress.
“However, its overall operational design is undermined by the Ukrainian pressure against its northern and southern flanks, and by severe shortages of munitions and manpower."
It comes as Kyiv said 600 towns and villages had been liberated from the Russians by Ukrainian forces.
October 14 is Ukraine’s Defenders Day and President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a message to celebrate.
The holiday replaced the old Soviet Union derived Defender of the Fatherland Day, which was on February 23.
Mr Zelenskiy said: "Gratitude to everyone who fought for Ukraine in the past. And to everyone who is fighting for it now.
“To all who won then. And to everyone who will definitely win now. Win in such a way that it will crown the struggle of many generations of our people with success.
“The people who always wanted one thing the most – freedom. For themselves. And for their children."
