Russia has been forced into a humiliating retreat after Ukraine made significant gains in the battle for the crucial city of Bakhmut.
Vladimir Putin ’s regime admitted it had to withdraw from key areas around the city in the Donetsk region, in the south
east of Ukraine.
The Russians have spent all winter and spring trying to capture Bakhmut but Ukraine said its army had pushed them back over a mile in seven days.
In a highly unusual move, Russia ’s defence ministry admitted its forces have pulled back from areas north of the city, confirming a significant loss of territory by Moscow forces.
A spokesman claimed troops had simply moved to more advantageous defensive positions “in order to increase the stability of defence”.
But Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner mercenary group fighting for Russia, dismissed Moscow’s face-saving claims, saying: “This is called fleeing and not regrouping.”
Ukraine’s Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar said Kyiv’s fighting forces had advanced by 1.2 miles in just one week. As the intense battle has worn on, Bakhmut has become symbolically important.
But many question its actual tactical value.
Ms Malyar said the city has become a target of “almost sacred” importance to Russia.
She accused the Kremlin of simultaneously claiming false victories on one hand, while also spreading lies about being short on weapons and ammunition.
She claimed the “real situation” over the past week was significant troop losses for Russia.
US think-tank the Institute for the Study of War also said that Ukraine had made gains of some 1.2 miles in Bakhmut. It added that Russia’s “uncharacteristically quick” acknowledgement of Kyiv counter-attacks indicated “increased panic” in Moscow.
