Russia is slowly starting to conquer Bakhmut. Ukraine's key supply route is under threat

Russian pressure on Bakhmut intensifies. According to the British Ministry of Defence, “Russia has made progress, has probably entered the city center and occupied the western bank of the Bakhmutka River. Ukraine's key supply route 0506 west of the city is likely to be seriously threatened.”

According to information provided by the British Ministry of Defence, the Russians are beginning to conquer more and more territory of Bakhmut. “In recent days, Russian forces have regained some momentum in the battle for Bakhmut. Since late March 2023, Russians have largely made no progress in fighting,” it said on Twitter. In the next communiqué, the ministry informs that “Russia is gaining more territory, and it is very likely that it has broken into the city center and occupied the western bank of the Bachmutka River. The 0506 supply route west of the city, which is crucial for Ukraine, is probably seriously threatened.”

https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1644216985075556353

British intelligence reports that the air force may have joined the fighting on the side of the Russian Federation. “Russian regular forces, possibly including airborne troops, have reinforced the area and Russia is again using artillery more effectively in this sector.”

Russia conquers new territories

The Reuters agency asked a spokesman for the Ukrainian military command for comment on the British reports. Serhiy Cherevaty said that the situation in Bakhmut was “difficult”. He also admitted that “Russia is concentrating all its forces to capture the city, but it is not strategically successful and suffers serious losses.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, while in Poland, admitted that if there was a risk of the Ukrainian troops being surrounded by the enemy, he would order the withdrawal of troops from that area.

- For me, the most important thing is our army. And if the situation gets even worse and there is a risk that we may lose soldiers due to the encirclement, the general will take appropriate decisions on the spot, Zelensky said during his visit to Warsaw.

Bakhmut is a very important place to conquer for the Russians and defense for the Ukrainians. These are the last areas in the eastern Donetsk region that have not been taken over by the occupier. On September 30, 2022, Putin announced the annexation of four Ukrainian oblasts, including Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia.