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After 224 days of fighting, the city of Bakhmut came under Russia’s control. Flags of the Wagner PMC and the Russian Federation were raised over the city. LINK While Kiev is yet to acknowledge the defeat, the remaining Ukrainian servicemen are glad to finally evacuate from their positions.
Despite the imminent defeat, the Ukrainian military was heavily fighting, defending their last strongholds. During the heavy battles, the AFU lost tens of thousands of servicemen. A lot of foreign fighters died in the grinder. The remnants of the AFU garrison in Bakhmut from the south-western outskirts escaped to the village of Ivanovskoe (Krasnoe) and to Khromovo from the western city outskirts. Russian fighters are securing the area, since some Ukrainian soldiers could still remain in the hideout.
As a result of the offensive actions of the Wagner assault detachments, with the support of artillery and aviation of the Southern Group of Russian Forces, the liberation of the city of Artyomovsk was completed – the Russian Ministry of Defence reported.
Last Ukrainian servicemen escaping from the area of the Mig-17 monument in the south of Bakhmut:
Ukrainian servicemen fleeing from the western outskirts of the city:
‘Cheer! Evacuation!’ – Ukrainian servicemen who survived in the battle for Bakhmut is glad to leave the grinder.
It was strategically important to retain control of the flanks until Wagner fighters take full control of the city. Despite heavy battles and some tactical gains of the AFU to the west and south of the city, servicemen of the Russian Ministry of Defence stopped the attacks and did not allow the Ukrainian military to deblocade the city.
However, the loss of the city did not stop the ongoing clashes in the region. The AFU attempts to revenge, storming Russian positions on the flanks. Heavy battles continue north of Klescheevka, in the forest area near Ivanovskoe and in the area of the Berkhovsky water reservoir. In its turn, the Russian military reinforced the military positions in the area, deployed additional forces and is launching counterattacks.
Ukrainian grouping deployed in the region continues suffering losses. Dozens of servicemen are killed in the battles on a daily basis, while more losses are inflicted by Russian precision strikes and heavy artillery fire.
To the south of Bakhmut, Ukrainian forces which retreated to the rear areas in the town of Ivanovskoe still cannot hide from Russian fire.
Two Ukrainian BTR-4E were filmed burning in Ivanovskoe. According to the comments of the operator, the crews were destroyed in the vehicles:
At the same time, the Ukrainian grouping deployed to the north of Bakhmut in the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk region is also constantly targeted by Russian forces.
On May 20, Russian strikes hit Ukrainian military bases in Kramatorsk. Several explosions thundered in the area of the local airport, which was reportedly used as a military supply hub and a headquarters center of Ukrainian forces. The headquarters of the Kiev’s anti-terrorist operation against the population of the Donbass was earlier located at the airfield.
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After the liberation of Artyomovsk, the Russian military gained a springboard for the further advance in Chasov Yar, Slavyansk and Kramatorsk. This is the last city agglomeration in the Donbass which is still under the control of the DPR.
First, Russian forces are likely to expel the remaining Ukrainian forces from the village of Khromovo located on the western outskirts of Bakhmut, since the Ukrainian garrison was almost destroyed there and there is no strategic importance for Kiev forces to loose more fighters in the village.
In its turn, the Ukrainian military will likely continue fiercely fighting for the control of the village of Ivanovskoe in order not to allow Russian forces to cut the road to Chasov Yar, which is a strategically-important stronghold of the AFU in the north of Donbass.
The city of Seversk located north of Bakhmut may become the next battlefield of the struggle in the Donbass. The Russian military is expected to launch the offensive in order to strengthen the front before the decisive battle for the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration.
Destruction of the AFU on the outskirts of Bakhmut a few days ago:
On the other hand, the end of the battle for Bakhmut may mark the beginning of the long-awaited large-scaled Ukrainian counter offensive. Military units of the Ukrainian strategic reserve armed and trained by NATO are yet to enter the battle for the Donbass. Numerous Ukrainian reinforcements were deployed near the front lines, ready to launch offensive operations. Despite Zelensky’s snivel and begging for more military equipment from the West, which is allegedly necessary for the successful counter offensive, the Ukrainian military is still expected to launch major attacks in several directions in the Donbass in the end of May.
